Typography/Task 3: Type Design and Communication

on

14.10.2022 - 25.11.2022/Week 7 - Week 12
Sim Jian Xiong (0356498)
Bachelor Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 3: Type Design and Communication

LECTURE

Week 9: Illustrator to Fontlab Demo

This week's lecture describes the construction of a typeface to be used in our poster.

Fig 1.1 Lecturer's Example, Week 9 (28.10.2022)

Reminder: The height of the median line must be 500pt, no exceptions!
INSTRUCTIONS

Task 3: Type Design and Communication

Phase 1: Sketches
For this task, we were instructed to design an original typeface for the letters: a e t k g r i y m p n # ! , .

Fig 1.2 Typeface sketches, Week 8 (21.10.2022)
  1. The stems are in bold
  2. Inspired by the "Prego" soup can font
  3. The right side is thicker than the left side
  4. Stretched, comic style glyph
  5. Serif but squares
  6. Bold cursives
Phase 2: Digitalization

Fig 1.3 Digitalization Process, Week 9 (28.10.2022)

Digitalization Process Step by Step (Top to Bottom)
  1. Rough idea of having strokes resting on the median line
  2. After creating the typefaces, I realized "R" and "P" looks weird so I made changes immediately
  3. One change I've made is to thicken the exclamation mark to fit a comic style
  4. Lecturer's feedback
  5. Finalizing typeface
Fig 1.4 Uneven Strokes, Week 9 (29.10.2022)

To add some character to my typeface, I created slightly uneven strokes as I was inspired by the small differences in existing typefaces throughout my studies.

Phase 3: Fontlab
To prepare my creation for Fontlab, I took down the measurements. I retraced the typeface to prevent distortion before I unite them.

Fig 1.5 Measurements, Week 10 (3.11.2022)

Fig 1.6 Typeface Outlines, Week 10 (3.11.2022)

As instructed, I kerned the letters after I copied and pasted them in Fontlab.
Fig 1.7 Fontlab Screengrab, Week 11 (10.11.2022)

Phase 4: Poster
I exported and downloaded my typeface to be used in Adobe Illustrator to create a poster. Because the poster's typeface point size must be the same, I experimented with kerning and spacing.

Fig 1.8 Different Layouts, Week 12 (17.11.2022)

I really liked the last two layouts as it reinforces the meaning of "TYPE" and in the form of the letter "T". In the end, I picked the one where "TYPE" is the only word that has large spacing.

Final Submissions

Fig 1.9 Final Submission Type Design JPG "POP", Week 12 (20.11.2022)

                             Fig 2.1 Final Submission Type Design PDF "POP", Week 12 (20.10.2022)

Fig 2.2 Final Submission Poster JPG "POP", Week 12 (20.11.2022)

                               Fig 2.3 Final Submission Poster PDF  "POP", Week 12 (20.11.2022)

Fig 2.4 Fontlab Screengrab "POP", Week 12 (20.11.2022)
FEEDBACK

Week 8
Specific Feedback: Number 4 is interesting. The stroke of "G" looks inconsistent with the others
General Feedback: Please do not use an existing typeface

Week 9
Specific Feedback: "Y" looks off balance, not centralized. "R" leg should stand further away. Bottom part of "G" too thin. "K" bottom should be thinner than above. "T" slightly thinner. "A" not symmetrical, top not flat, drop crossbar
General Feedback: None

Week 10
Specific Feedback: The top of "T" should follow the top of "E"
General Feedback: A good typeface design has consistency & convention

Week 11
Specific Feedback: Stroke width fairly consistent. "!" should be square.
General Feedback: There must be consistent angles in letterforms
REFLECTIONS

Experience
I have mixed feelings for this task. On one hand, I was frustrated, having to correct my typeface feedback after feedback. On the other, I'm quite proud on how my very first font turned out in the end.

Observations
During my digitalization phase, I noticed that I was struggling to create my typeface due to my lack of research on letters. I wasted a lot of time designing because I don't have a clear direction and information.

Findings
While my final font may not be what I've initially planned for, I learned the importance of taking feedback, especially when it's given by my lecturer, because he has more experience than me and knows the next step for me to improve.
FURTHER READING

Week 12

Fig 2.5 A Type Primer by John Kane

Fig 2.6 Vertical Lettering

This page warns me the danger of writing vertically, which I'm doing in my poster. Writing top to bottom like Chinese makes English words illegible. I'll need to be mindful of a baseline of a vertical type.

Comments

Post a Comment