- November 12, 2024
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Week 7 (12.11.2024) - Week 13 (17.12.2024)
Nur Asma' Binti Anuar / 0378095 / BDCM
Typography
Task 3 - Type Design & Communication
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LECTURES
All lecture notes can be referred to Task 1
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INSTRUCTIONS
In this task, we had to design and create our own font from a limited number
of western alphabets, which are ( o l e d s n c h t i g , . ! # ). We have to choose one of the 10 typeface font that was
given as a reference study and that is similar to our sketches.
Research
At first, I blindly searched for some inspirations from Pinterest to get that creative feeling. I was not sure whether I should go with uppercases or lowercases, or make the width bold or light. After searching for some more, I finally found something intriguing.
Fig. 1.1 Pinterest /Crake Family Font
Fig. 1.2 dafont.com /Devil Candle Font
Later I had to find one of the 10 fonts to proceed with analyzing their anatomy and understand how fonts actually works before proceeding with sketching. I decided to use Bodoni Std Poster as a reference study.
Fig. 1.3 Bodoni Std /Poster Font
The next part was to analyze the font, and in my case is the Bodoni Std Poster. While analyzing the letterforms, I can detect that the rhombus/square parts are all in equal widths. The round parts in the letter O, C, G, and D are all equal and symmetrical with one another. The horizontal line in H, T, I and L can be seen as equal parts with the same width, while the letter N on the other hand has a more curve that connects the horizontal lines with the vertical ones similar withe the middle part of the letter E. The triangular parts in T, G, L, and E are also equal parts, while the letter C, S, and G triangular parts blends with the rounded strokes and has a flat tip.
Fig. 1.4 Analyzation font anatomy
Sketch
After studying and analyzing the Bodoni Std Poster font, I proceed on designing the given characters. The first ones were to write and design out the letter H O G B in both uppercase and lowercase by using three different markers and sizes. I used a flat tip marker in most designs after trying out the ball point tip, which wasn't the ideal width and end-point I wanted.
At first I wanted to make rounded and curved characters, this was before I had known dafont. After trying out curved strokes, I went to make rigid and straight lines. It felt too simple so I made some smooth dents at every sides.
After trying out designing the first four letters, I then went ahead to experiment with the given characters, which were ( o l e d s n c h t i g , . ! # ). I found it difficult and didn't know how to find the right direction for all characters.
Fig. 1.5 Sketch designs (12.11.2024 - 17.11.2024)
Digitalization
Before I was introduced to dafont website, I took the minimal knowledge I had from searching through Pinterest and went to creating something simple on Adobe Illustrator. Looking back at it and after receiving feedback from Ms. Vi, I realized I had to explore more in depth, and by that I was introduced to dafont.
Fig. 1.6 Failed attempts (16.11.2024 - 20.11.2024)
Finding the right font for inspiration and similar to my sketches, I then begin to start anew and creating a fatty and sharp design based on Bodoni Std Poster and Devil Candle.
I followed the same process from Mr. Vinod's demonstration and applied the first rectangle shape and creating equal spaces, after that was creating two different triangles. When planning to create the round characters, I begin with letter 'O' first. Taking the same font from Bodoni Std Poster and adjusting the spaces and curves, making it the spacing equal to letter 'H'. After I was certain about 'O', I divided it into half and applied it to G, B, C, and D.
Fig. 1.7 Letterform 'O'
The straight line characters were easy to create by following what I've done with 'H'. The final boss was the letter 'S'. When creating it initially, I had simply no understanding on how to perfectly make all curves equal. I then instead did the same process with the letter 'O' and took the font from Bodoni Std Poster and applied it there first. Then I begin to adjust the widths to match, and flatten the top edge to make it similar with the other letterforms. While it is not the outcome I wish it would turn out, I noticed in other fonts and typefaces that the letter 'S' was not easy to create and having equal curves. In the end, I kept it as it is as it has its own uniqueness.
Fig. 1.8 Letterform 'S'
After following the steps into creating the punctuation, it was the step into smoothing the sharp dents. I had some minor difficulties as some characters didn't have the point tool to edit the curves. So instead of making every dents smoother, I made the sharp dents only the ones with the smaller triangles smoother, and left the ones with the bigger triangles as it is.
Fig. 1.9 Final attempt (04.12.2024)
After finalizing the designs of the letterforms, I followed the steps demonstrated by Mr. Vinod before inputting the characters in FontLab.
Fig. 1.10 Line space
Fig. 1.11 FontLab 9 (10.12.2024)
Poster
For the poster, I again tried to find inspirations or references through Pinterest, and while most were unhelpful or way too advanced for my level, I tried to capture some elements and input a mixture of it into some of the layouts I plan to design. The first attempt, I overdid it, and went on the wrong direction once again. Later on, I struggled to use the quote and coming up with the layout. In the end, I made three posters that I quite liked but unsure of, as I took some inspirations from previous students' works and try to add on my own spice to the layout.
Fig. 1.12 First attempts (15.12.2024)
After seeing others' works and receiving feedback, I decided to start anew and create a different quote, which was '#Design, is the hidden gold!'. I realized while making this one, it had an easier direction than the other quote.
Fig. 1.13 Final Attempt (17.12.2024)
Final
Link to download font:
Fig. 2.1 Diablo.ttf Download (10.12.2024)
Fig. 2.2 Side Bearings (10.12.2024)
Fig. 2.3 Type-Construction Final (JPEG)(10.12.2024)
Fig. 2.4 Type-Construction Final (PDF)(10.12.2024)
Fig. 2.6 Poster Final (PDF)(17.12.2024)
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FEEDBACK
Week 8: (Independent learning week)
Week 9,10: absent
Week 11: The first few designs did not look good. After further research and improvement it was doable and better than the initial two.
Week 12: First poster design needed to try harder, and to come up with more designs.
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REFLECTION
Experience: During this task, I had the liberty to create my own font for the first time, and while I may be inexperienced and lacking in many ways, I found myself enjoying creating something of my own. Similarly, this task had the same experience as the first task. It was scary at first, catching up with the updates and trying not to fall behind, as I did struggled and had difficulties to find a proper direction and being happy with it. But in the end, I came to realize that I pushing myself too much would lead to a messy bunch. After being introduced to something else, it made me feel at ease when I finally found the right direction, and I felt happy with the outcome.
Observation: While searching for inspired fonts through websites and finding a reference for a design and poster, I noticed typography is a very diverse subject, and without proper knowledge, you can't find what you're looking for without knowing the question in the first place.
Findings: In the end, I am still considered an amateur in this subject, and while I wish I could have perfect it or at least progress on these last few weeks, I find myself to come to terms I should take it easy. Although I still have many more years to go and understand this subject, I find it quite interesting to learn from time to time, especially its histories and what it had come to.
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FURTHER READING
Fig. 3.1 Typographic Design: Form and Communication (2015)
:Chapter 2. The Anatomy of Typography, Chapter 3. Legibility.
Fig. 3.2 Just My Type by Simon Garfield (2011)
Dive into various designers' process of creativity into typography for beginners.
Fig. 3.3 Type Matters! by Jim Williams (2012)
Chapter 1. Background, Chapter 2. Setting Headlines and Display Type.
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