Typography
Task 3A: Type Design and Communication
LECTURES
Week 7
The lectures for Task 3A contained Typeface Construction (Shapes) and export the self-created typeface to FontLab. Of course, we were briefed to Task 3A and lecturers taught us how to professionally create a new typeface using only Adobe illustrator. After the finalized typeface Illustration, we were told to download FontLab in order to export the fonts that we created and actually use the fonts to do a Typeface showcase on an A4 poster.
Deconstructed letter:
Figure 1.0: Deconstructed letter "r", 02 June 2021
The example of the deconstructed letter above was from the lecturer's demo video. We were assigned to do 3 letters from "a i m e p y t g d o b". In the deconstruction process, we will be looking at the details of how the letterform is constructed.
Creating font in Adobe Illustrator:
Figure 1.1: Process demo by the lecturer, 02 June 2021
INSTRUCTIONS
PROGRESS
Task 3: Type Design and Communication
Identify and deconstruct letter
Fonts: Univers LT Std 55 Roman
Figure 1.2: Deconstructed letter "t", 30 May 2021
Figure 1.3: Deconstructed letter "b", 30 May 2021
Figure 1.4: Deconstructed letter "r", 30 May 2021
Creating font
Figure 1.5: Base shapes, 25 May 2021
After aligning all the text formatting lines accurately, I started to create some simple shapes and construct the rest of the letters.
Figure 1.6: Reference font, 25 May 2021
Figure 1.7: Constructed letters, 02 June 2021
This is the process where we can start to shape out the letterform the way we want it using any possible way of constructions like using shapes, lines, curves, brush tools, and so on. So far I have only used the shapes and anchor points to come out of this font design and it was pretty consistent to my eyes.
Figure 1.8: Reconstruction process, 26 May 2021
The changes made to my letter "e" from the one at the left to the right after receiving feedback. The one on the left was not curvy enough and the tail of the letterform was too long. So, I changed the arcdegree to a 100 for the top left corner.
Figure 1.9: Consistent curves, 25 May 2021
Digitalized font
Figure 2.0: Digitalized font, 25 May 2021
Measurements from baseline:
- Ascender and Descender: 727 pt
- Capital height: 694 pt
- Median: 500 pt
- Descender: -226 pt
Developing the final font in FontLab 7
Figure 2.1: Paste the fonts in FontLab, 31 May 2021
Figure 1.9: Type out the letters, 31 May 2021
Figure 2.2: Adjust the letter space, 31 May 2021
Figure 2.3: Export the font, 31 May 2021
Typeface display poster
Figure 2.4: Composition 1, 01 June 2021
Figure 2.5: Composition 1, 01 June 2021
Figure 2.6: Composition 2, 01 June 2021
Figure 2.7: Composition 2, 01 June 2021
Final Task 3A: Type Design and Communication
Figure 2.8: Final outcome of font design, "Bold", 01 June 2021
PDF
<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uNXP9gN4FJM554Zqtl-8oq8MGBSBf9SS/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
FEEDBACK
Week 9
Specific feedback: The lecturer stated that my ideation of the font was pretty good overall but there were some minor issues with some of the letters I designed, which were the "e" and "p". The problem with "e" was because the tail of the letterform was too long and does not look right to the other letter I had. So, I changed them to shorter tails and also fixed the corner to rounder ones so that it actually has the characteristic of the letter "e". Then, the problem with the letter "p" was due to the width of the top part looked a little thinner compared to the letter "y" and "g", and that made the letter "p" kind of odd so I had to change up a little bit to widen the top part of "p".
General feedback: All the letters that we design should be consistent and use the same arch points to all the corners. Do not overly distort the letterforms, make them easy to read and so people would actually use the typeface. The letter "t" does not position at the ascender line, it was actually at the cap height.
Week 10
General feedback: Even using brush strokes to do the fonts can be consistent too, it could be like a calligraphy type of font so make sure to repeat the strokes in order to keep it consistent.
REFLECTION
Experience: This part A of Task 3was about creating a brand new font ourselves, I thought creating a font would be very hard but it actually worked out pretty well for me as I only created an easy and visual comfort type of font. During my first attempt, the lecturer already thinks it looks fine so I was relieved that I wasn't doing it wrong but, there were sure some minor mistakes that I had to fix in order to get it right. I sure started to frustrate a bit when some things are limited, but it all makes sense if it is about professionally creating a typeface. Of course, it was not just struggling when there were tutors guiding us step by step, we technically just have to follow the instructions and do our job so it was quite a fun experience as well because I did learn something new.
Observations: I have observed that there are so many ideas creating original fonts, I have seen many of my classmates' works and it was just so mesmerizing to encounter so many different ideas from different people.
Findings: I have learned that it is not just all about playing around with the fonts as you please, we must put more patience when it comes to creating a font that would be put to use. The whole fonts with all the letters must have equal contrast to look consistent.
FURTHER READING
Figure 3.0: Letterforms: Typeface Design from Past to Future
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published July 3rd, 2018 by Rockport Publishers
Letterforms is a very interesting book. This book starts with a detailed history of typesetting and delves into the formation of letters. On this basis, some trends in the past two decades are summarized. Graphic designers will be very interested in this work, but it will also attract ordinary laymen who want to learn more about the subject. I certainly find it very attractive, and as you would expect from a book on the subject, the page layout is beautiful. All in all, this is a rich and fascinating book.
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