Advanced Typography: Task 3 Type Exploration & Application

1. Create a font that is intended to solve a larger problem or meant to be part of a solution in the area of your interest be it graphic design, animation, new media or entertainment design or any other related area not necessarily reflecting your specialisation. End result: a complete generated font (.ttf) with applications.

2. Explore the use of an existing letterform in an area of interest, understand its existing relationship, identify areas that could be improved upon, explore possible solutions or combinations that may add value to the existing letterform / lettering. End result: a complete generated font (.ttf) with applications.

3. Experiment. For your idea to qualify as an experiment it must be novel and unique — working with material that might be 3- dimensional, digitally augmented, edible, unusual, typographic music video or fine art. End result: defined by student.

Fig 3.1 Proposal, Week 8 (13/11/2024)

After Week 9 Feedback session, I decided to proceed to try out with idea 1 and 3.

1. Letters Design

Idea 1 - Horror/Halloween Style Typeface

I tried digitising my sketch, but I wasn't satisfied with the digital version. It just felt too rigid compared to the original sketch.

Fig 3.1.1 Idea 1 digitisation, Week 9 (20/11/2024)

Fig 3.1.2 Idea 1 Digitisation with guides, Week 9 (20/11/2024)

Rethinking a different way to present the idea would be too time-consuming at this stage, as we need to complete a set of uppercase/lowercase design within a week. Therefore, I decided to pursue another idea.

Idea 3 - Continue designing one of the exploration sketch from Task 2

For this font design, I wanted to experiment with a unicase approach because I felt it aligned well with the concept. Unicase combines features of uppercase and lowercase letters into a single set, creating a more unified look.

After doing some research to better understand unicase typography, I decided to base the design primarily on uppercase letters while incorporating lowercase elements where necessary.

Fig 3.1.3 Design Process, Week 9 (20/11/2024)

Fig 3.1.4 Attempt #1, Week 9 (20/11/2024)

Compared to idea 1, I feel more inspired while working on this concept. I use a combination of different-sized circles to design the letters.

After the Week 10 Feedback session, Mr Vinod pointed out a few issues such as readability issues and some design inconsistencies, like the hook (descenders) for letter 'g' and 'J'. The sharp end of letter 'L' and 'J' also looks awkward.

Fig 3.1.5 Letters in black colour - need adjustment, Week 10 (27/11/2024)

The letters in pink colour were approved in readability, while the letters in black colour need further refinement. Mr Vinod suggested to explore more other ways and focus to make them more readable, do not restrict the design with the current shapes.

Fig 3.1.6 Attempt #2, Week 10 (27/11/2024)

The letters in orange colour were the revised versions in attempt #2. I used circles and rectangles to create a more harmonious and consistent counter space. Mr Vinod suggested to flatten the left side of the letters 'B' and 'D', and the circle design in letter 'G' was odd.

Fig 3.1.7 'B' and 'D' adjustment, Week 10 (27/11/2024)

I adjusted letters 'B' and 'D' according to Mr Vinod's suggestion, but I feel the revised version lost the features of my original font design, thus I decided to go with my original design.

Fig 3.1.8 'G' adjustment, Week 10 (27/11/2024)

I wanted to design lowercase 'g' initially, but in the end I changed to uppercase as it is more suitable and can echo the design of letter 'J' in Fig 3.1.6.

Fig 3.1.9 Finalised Font Design, Week 10 (27/11/2024)

2. Numbers & Symbols

Fig 3.2.1 Numbers design, Week 10 (27/11/2024)

For the number design, I paid more attention to differentiate the particular numbers that might look alike with some letters.

Fig 3.2.2 Difference between letter 'O' and number '0', Week 10 (27/11/2024)

For 'O' and '0', I tried to incorporate round edge for one of the letters, but it doesn't look good and was inconsistent with the rest of the fonts, so I decided to make the counter for number '0' bigger to differentiate them.

Fig 3.2.3 Differentiate '2 & Z' and '5 & S', Week 10 (27/11/2024)

I spent quite a long time experimenting ways to differentiate '2 & Z' and '5 & S'. In attempt #1, I tried to use different sizes of counter to differentiate them, but it doesn't really work well as all of them look like numbers 2 and 5, thus I decided to keep this design for the numbers, and rework the design for the letters.

Fig 3.2.4 Overall process of refining letters 'S' and 'Z', Week 10 (27/11/2024)

The one at the right was the finalised design. The attempts in between were experiments with different stroke sizes, however, I felt the fully parallel counters doesn't really matching the features of my other fonts and make it too flat. So I tried to make it overlap a bit, create a thinner and 'inconsistent' stroke in my finalised design.

Fig 3.2.5 Symbols design, Week 10 (27/11/2024)

Overall, the process of design symbols was pretty smooth and quick. The only two that I struggled a bit was '@' and '&'.

Fig 3.2.6 Overall process of designing '@', Week 11 (4/12/2024)

I tried to design a thin outline with heavy letter initially, however it doesn't look good in the first attempt. So I tried thicker designs, and Mr Vinod suggested to leave more space in between the design, and I came out with the finalised design on the right eventually.

Fig 3.2.7 Overall process of designing '&', Week 11 (4/12/2024)

This was the one I struggled with the most. It was hard to balance the design while also incorporating the features of the font design. It wasn't a structured and smooth process, I just experimented with different possibilities. The one on the right was my finalised design.

3. FontLab

Mr Vinod suggested us to either use the computers in D7.04 for FontLab or download free application like FontForge to create the font.

I tried out FontForger at first. It was pretty different with FontLab, and it can't adjust the size perspectively. I found it really annoying when it comes to symbols, thus I decided to switch to FontLab.

Fig 3.3.1 FontLab final outcome, Week 11 (4/12/2024)

For my font, I applied same kerning to most of the letters, and did some individual kerning for specific letters and symbols to ensure they work smoothly.

4. Font Presentation

Fig 3.4.1 Week 11 working process, Week 11 (4/12/2024)

Fig 3.4.2 Attempt #1, Week 11 (4/12/2024)

After Week 12 Feedback session, Mr Vinod mentioned that the colour scheme wasn't a good choice, especially the rust red colour. The font presentation design could be more impactful, by emphasising different text sizes and combinations.

Fig 3.4.3 Colour palette exploration, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

I wanted to have bright contrast colours for this design to let the letters stand out, thus I experimented a few designs with two colour combinations at the bottom.

Fig 3.4.4 Designs with first colour palette, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.4.5 Designs with second colour palette, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

I personally prefer the second attempt, as the yellow colour suits the idea of this font, and the contrast between yellow, white, black and orange was just nice.

Finalised Font Presentation Work

Fig 3.4.6 Font Presentation Overview

Fig 3.4.7 Font Presentation 1, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.4.8 Font Presentation 2, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.4.9 Font Presentation 3, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.4.10 Font Presentation 4, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.4.11 Font Presentation 5, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

5. Font Application

Initially I planned to do applications related to poster designs and other promotional designs for events, however, as suggested by Mr Vinod, as my font was designed based on my previous idea from my keyartwork, why not personalise it and create the application for my daily used products.

Fig 3.5.1 Elements for mockup, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

I planned to do digital wallpaper, notebook design, to-do list design and AirPods case design. I have a very clear idea for my font application, thus the process was smooth and straightforward.

Finalised Font Application

Fig 3.5.2 Font Application Overview

Fig 3.5.3 Font Application 1, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.5.4 Font Application 2, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.5.5 Font Application 3, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.5.6 Font Application 4, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.5.7 Font Application 5, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

6. Task 3 Final Outcome

Click here to download SAY CHEESE

Fig 3.6.1 Unicase PDF, Week 10 (27/11/2024)

Fig 3.6.2 FontLab Screengrab, Week 11 (4/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.3 Font Presentation1, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.4 Font Presentation 2, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.5 Font Presentation 3, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.6 Font Presentation 4, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.7 Font Presentation 5, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.8 Font Application 1, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.9 Font Application 2, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.10 Font Application 3, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.11 Font Application4, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.12 Font Application 5, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

Fig 3.6.13 Font Presentation and Font Application - PDF, Week 12 (11/12/2024)

4. FEEDBACK

Week 8

No class - Independent Learning Week

Week 9

Specific Feedback

Idea 1 and 3 approved.

Week 10

Specific Feedback

A few letters need to modify to improve readability, don't restrict in certain shapes or drafts created earlier on, try to figure out other ways to make it more readable.

Week 11

Specific Feedback

'@' looks a bit awkward, the space is too small, make it as big as the letters.

Week 12

Specific Feedback

Colour scheme need adjustment, font presentation need more impact.

5. REFLECTIONS

Experience

This is my favourite task so far. It was really fun and satisfying to create, improve, and finally develop a complete font. Although were some challenges during the process, but overall it was smooth and clear. I spent a lot of time trying out FontForge, and one of the biggest problem I faced was it can't adjust the size perspectively. While letters and numbers were still fine, it was horrible for symbols and punctuations, that is why I decided to continue using Fontlab. Overall I enjoyed it very much, and I like my font very much :)

Observation

At the beginning of this task, I did research on a lot of fonts with different style. By observing those successful font designs, I realised that sometimes keep the design elements same to maintain the consistency can be good but also bad at the same time, for some of the designs, breaking set rules is needed in order to create something interesting. This is also what Mr Vinod suggested to me when I was struggling to think of ways to differentiate the design for letter 'S' and number '5', letter 'Z' and number '2'.

Findings

Throughout the whole process, the main new thing I found out was being a designer, paying attention to details and keep everything balanced is a must in the process, but sometimes brave enough to allow 'inconsistency' in the design might be the key to be a better designer.

6. FURTHER READING

Fig 6.1 Punctuations by grillitype

This instagram post was recommended by Mr Vinod for us to read before designing punctuations. It was really helpful as it gave me a better understanding of how punctuations design work.

Fig 6.2 Comma design

Fig 6.3 Different comma designs

Fig 6.4 Shape of the period

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Tay Yue Chern (0373215)

Advanced Typography: Task 3 Type Exploration & Application

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