Typography Task 3

Typography: Task 3

Week 09- Week 13

Siam Siew Yong 0358399

Bachelor of Design in Creative Media | Taylor’s Design School | Taylor’s University

INSTRUCTION

Task 3 Type Design & Communication

In this task, we required to design our own font. 

Firstly, we need to select an existing font design and study and analyze the anatomy of the font. Then, we will draw our own font sketches. After getting approval, we will digitize the font design using Illustrator and Fontlab7.

Type Dissection

Fig 1.1 dissection of letter hogb

The font I chose is ITC New Baskerville Std and Futura Std

ITC New Baskerville:

• The serifs are bracketed, transitioning smoothly into the stems
• Moderate x-height, balancing readability with elegance
• The capital letters 'H' is more elongated compared to older styles, with a slight curvature

Futura Std:

• Simple geometric forms such as circles, triangles, and squares
• Relatively high x-height which makes it legible at small sizes
• The capital letters are very similar to geometric shapes, such as the circular 'O' 

Sketches

We need to create our sketches, we allowed to use calligraphy pens and graph paper

 

Fig 2.1 initial sketches(17/06/2024)

I designed a number of fonts and after he examined them, he told me make the contrast pressure, and write the word and don't 'draw' the word. I make some changes and decide the font need to digitise.

Fig 2.2  final sketches(18/06/2024)

Digitizing (Adobe Illustrator)

I started to digitize my font and Mr Vinod adviced us to use Brush tool in Adobe Illustrator. 

And I adjust a brush tool which suit to my font.

Fig 3.1 initial digitizing outline and stroke(24/06/2024)

Fig 3.2 initial digitizing 

(24/06/2024)

Fig 3.3 brushes used 

(24/06/2024)

After getting advice from Mr Vinod, 

I need to make the font more creative and unique, letter cannot be like 'draw', and ensure the fonts consistency in style.

I made some changes and decided to make this font wider, lower the x-height, and visually make the font thicker and more stable.

Fig 3.4 digitization with guide(25/06/2024)

Fig 3.5 final mockup(27/06/2024)

Fig 3.6  final mockup outline and stroke(27/06/2024)

Font Lab

Once I finished final mockup in Adobe Illustrator, I copy and paste in FontLab 7

Fig 4.1 measurement of letter 'o'(17/07/2024)

Fig 4.2 letters on fontlab(17/07/2024)

I make some adjustment like kern the letters to make it looks better

Fig 4.3 kerning letters on fontlab(17/07/2024)

After this, I downloaded the font and use it to design my poster

And I want to call my font as 'chill' because I want to chill out myself when carry on this task

Final

Fig 5.1 fontlab screen gab(18/07/2024)

Fig 5.2 Final AI Construction jpeg(20/07/2024)

Fig 5.3 Final AI Construction pdf(20/07/2024)

Fig 5.4 Final poster jpeg(20/07/2024)

Fig 5.5 Final poster pdf(20/07/2024)

link to download font: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qdrE9g_aa9xVcBRqege5fw3vfW7Oz_tC/view?usp=sharing

Feedback

Week 9

GENERAL FEEDBACK- 

• holding pen in one angle, do not change the angle when writting, 
• when write do not use the same pressure, must have contrast
• when writing must have a baseline, X-height, cap height, descender line, ascender line
• dont 'draw' the letters, 'write' the letters
• when digitise, reduce anchor point, more anchor point more difficult the work
• must see the process when digitise, like the stroke of the letters

SPECIFIC FEEDBACK- 

• make the contrast pressure, and write the word and don't draw the word

Week 10

(absent)

Week 11

SPECIFIC FEEDBACK-

• need to make the font more creative and unique, letter cannot be like 'draw', and ensure the fonts consistency in style

Week 12

SPECIFIC FEEDBACK-

• font digitised, technique skill not good enough, ensure the lesser anchor point (less anchor point, font will more smoothly and easy to adjust)

Reflection

Experience

This final project in the module has been quite challenging for me. I had to design numerous fonts on paper and then choose the best one to digitize. This process was tough and required a lot of effort. Additionally, learning to use new software like Font Lab was both exciting and demanding.

Observation

Throughout the module, I paid close attention to the examples provided by the instructor and the creative approaches of my classmates. These observations helped me gather inspiration and refine my ideas, ultimately leading to the design of a font that I am very proud of.

Finding

Learning to use Font Lab has been incredibly rewarding. It gave me a new set of tools to enhance my typography design, pushing my creativity to new heights. This experience has allowed me to grow as a designer and continuously improve my skills.

Futher Reading

Fig 6.1  Typographic Design: Form and Communication (2015)

The books that I've chosen to read is 'Typography Design Form Communication'

Type specimen

The role of typographic specimens has evolved significantly with the advent of digital typography. 

Previously, designers used specimens to select fonts and sizes for order from typesetting companies and for reference in layout design. Today, computers provide an infinite range of font sizes and styles, allowing designers to explore and purchase fonts from digital type foundry websites. Printed specimens are now primarily used for study and comparison. 

This chapter showcases typefaces from major historical classifications—Old Style, Transitional, Modern, Egyptian, and sans serif—highlighting Old Style and sans serif fonts due to their widespread use. With the vast array of typeface variations available, including those designed for hand, machine, or phototype composition, and newer types created specifically for digital media, designers must pay close attention to the subtlety of form and spacing in fonts, as their quality can vary significantly.

Reference photo

Fig 6.2 old style font

 

Fig 6.3 additional old style font

Fig 6.4 sans serif- Franklin Gothic Book

Fig 6.5 transitional- Baskerville

Fig 6.6 modern- Bauer Bodoni Regular

Fig 6.7 egyptian- Serifa Roman