Typography - Task - 3 : Type Design and Communication

28/5/2023 - /6/2023 / Week  8 - Week 15

Berlian Johanna/ 0360054

Typography / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylors University

Task  3 / Type Design and Communication

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Lectures

Link

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ISTRUCTIONS

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Type Design & Communication

1. Writing Calligraphy or Letters
We were assigned a task to improve our calligraphy skills by experimenting with various mediums on paper before transitioning to digital work. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of calligraphy fundamentals and how fonts are created. 

Figure 1.1 Sketches Calligraphy

Figure 1.2 Practicing letterforms with the chosen tool

2. Digitalization the written letters in Adobe Illustrator

When it comes to creating digitalized letters, we have a range of tools at our disposal. These tools, such as the pen tool, brush tool, basic shapes, and the knife tool, allow us to add a touch of design to our letters. We were given a practice demo where we had to place the letters in Adobe Illustrator, using only basic shapes and strokes. The aim was to create a reference that could be easily adapted and reused for other letters.

Fig 2.1 First Attempt

During the initial try, it turned out to be a complete disaster as Sir Vinod emphasized the importance of adjusting and adhering to the ruler tool. The arrangement of the alphabets was messy, and there were noticeable height variations. It clearly indicated that I had just started without following the given instructions.

Fig 2.2 Second Attempt

In my second attempt, I wanted to create a striking visual impact, so I opted for a bold approach. I relied on rectangular shapes to give the letters a unique and solid appearance. Drawing inspiration from sci-fi themes, I aimed for a blocky alphabet style. To enhance consistency, I carefully added subtle forms to each letter. This combination resulted in a visually engaging and cohesive design that captured the essence of the sci-fi aesthetic.

Fig 2.3 Third Attempt

During my third attempt, I embarked on a slightly different approach by incorporating my own handwriting into the letter designs. It involved the meticulous process of copying and pasting different shapes to form each letter. This presented a considerable challenge, especially as I utilized a custom calligraphy pen. Despite the difficulty, I persevered and successfully crafted aesthetically pleasing shapes for every alphabet. The outcome showcased the harmonious blend of my personal handwriting style and the deliberate selection of shapes, resulting in captivating and visually appealing letter designs.

Making 2 different symbols :

Fig 2.4 Punctuation Mark for 2nd Attempt Part

Fig 2.5 Punctuation Mark for 3rd Attempt Part

After finishing the creation of the fonts, I realized that I had inadvertently omitted some crucial symbols like the exclamation mark, comma, period, and hashtag. To ensure consistency with the overall design, I had to make decisions based on the style established in the initial attempts. For example, in Figure 1.6, I opted to keep the lines of the hashtag straight, aligning them with the initial typography. However, in Figure 1.7, I introduced a slight bend to the lines, following the form of the other alphabets for better visual harmony.

3. Putting Fonts to Fontlab

Fig 3.1 Font Dimension - Setting up font information

Fig 3.2 Importing the font and Adjusting Size

Following the guidance, I proceeded on the final stage of creating the font by utilizing FontLab 7. This step involved the crucial task of kerning, where I had to meticulously adjust the spacing between each individual letter. In this phase I apply the font to each individual letter for adjusting the size.

Fig 3.3 Process in FontLab 7

Applying each individual letter as I need to adjusting the letter, mostly I have trouble part with "r' letter it keeps unbalance size. Along with other letter such as "m'' and ''n".

Fig 3.4 Paste & Duplicate

Fig 3.5 Testing and Kerning

After placing each letter, including additional fonts. I observed that there were instances in the new matrix window where kerning adjustments needed to be made. I proceeded to diligently perform the necessary kerning, ensuring that the spacing between characters was consistent and visually appealing. I continued refining the kerning until I achieved a satisfying result where the spaces between letters were even and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

4. Final Work

 DOWNLOAD FONT

Fig 4.1 Poster Desugn in JPEG

Fig 4.2 Poster Design in PDF

Fig 4.3 Type Design and Communication "Typography B.J Regular" (JPEG)

Fig 4.4 Screen grab of "New Metrics Window with sentence

Feedback :

Week 12 General geedback: Follow the given instructions carefully. Take notes during class to avoid forgetting important information. Specific Feedback : Use consistent fontsize and change the structure. Week 11 General Feedback: Pay attention to the angle of the stroke for more detailed results. Refine the angle to improve the overall look. Specific Feedback: Make the stroke angle consistent for a better appearance. Week 10 General Feedback: Aim for accuracy in the letters and do not using two different strokes to maintain consistency. Specific Feedback: Make the strokes consistent and avoid changing the design. week 9 General Feedback: Check if the strokes are aligned correctly. Avoid going beyond the descender point of the letters. Specific Feedback: Align all the letters on the baseline, with slight floating if needed. Week 8 General Feedback: Focus on writing out the letters rather than designing them and experiment it Specific Feedback: Advice to let us keep on practicing in writing to get familiar of each letters.

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Reflection :

Experience:
Task 3 involved creating a custom typeface from scratch, and I found it to be an enjoyable experience. There was a sense of joy and satisfaction when I first typed a sentence using the typeface that I had designed.

Observations:
During the process of designing the typeface, I learned the importance of maintaining consistency. Each letter had to have the same stroke, angle, and thickness to ensure visual coherence.

Findings:
Creating a typeface requires meticulous attention to detail. Elements such as ascenders, descenders, x-height, median, baseline, and kerning must be carefully considered and implemented. These finer details contribute to the overall legibility and aesthetics of the typeface.

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5. Further reading :

Fig 5.1 Typography Referenced

This the book I interest and choose to read

Fig 5.2 Introduction of Typography Referenced

Typography Referenced is a helpful book for designers and typography enthusiasts. It introduces the basics of typography, including its history, principles, and practical applications. The book covers various typographic elements and explores the evolution of typography over time. It also emphasizes the importance of typography in effective communication and visual design. With clear explanations and visual examples, Typography Referenced serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of typography.

Fig 5.3 Design by Team

Design by Team is a collaborative approach where multiple individuals work together on a design project. It involves brainstorming, group discussions, and frequent feedback to create comprehensive and innovative designs. This approach leverages the expertise and diverse perspectives of team members, resulting in more efficient and impactful outcomes.

Fig 5.4 Character Expension in Typography

Character expansion in typography is the adjustment of spacing between letters to improve the appearance and readability of text. It involves widening or narrowing the gaps between characters to create a desired visual effect or fit more text in a limited space.