Task 3: Type Design and Communication

30/05/2023 - 26/06/2023 / Week 9  - Week 13
Reema Arif Hamza / 0362792
Module / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 3: Type Design and Communication

Lectures

All lectures completed in Task 1: Exercises 1 & 2

Instructions

Task 3: Type Design and Communication

You will be tasked to design a limited number of Western alphabets. To begin, choose an existing font design that adheres to the direction that you would like to head in. Study the font carefully by analyzing its anatomical parts. You will endeavor to create a typeface that has the hallmark of a good typeface; subtlety or character, presence, legibility, and readability. Below are the letters you will design: a e t k g r i y m p n ! # , . Upon completion of the font, you will create a basic A4-size poster displaying your font


Process

I identified a reference font called Kavivanar which was similar to the calligraphic approach I envisioned for my font. I studied the font, its varied thicknesses, its curves, and the ratios used. The deconstruction process helps me develop my typeface design further.
Fig. 1.1 Deconstructed 'Kavivanar' Font, Week 9 (30/05/2023)

I practiced using 5 different tools and did vertical, horizontal, and circular strokes. Then picked (starred in yellow) the ones I preferred the most.

Fig. 1.2 Vertical, horizontal, and circular strokes for each tool, Week 9 (30/05/2023)

After that, I wrote " a e t k g r i y m p n " in uppercase and lowercase letters for each chosen style. Then I picked the brush pen letter style because it was the best option. I then practiced the chosen style multiple times to maintain the same angle, pressure, and writing characters.  


Fig. 1.3 Practicing letters using chosen tool and technique, Week 9 (30/05/2023)

Fig. 1.4 Font Construction, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Fig. 1.5 Font Components, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Over time my font evolved into a more refined version, through many trials and errors. It went from bubbly to clean and straight. At first, I used the curvature tool to trace my image, based on feedback I switched to a brush tool to have more control and refine it to look more like a typeface.

Fig. 1.6 Font Evolution, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Fig. 1.7 Copying and pasting letters into Fontlab, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Fig. 1.8 Character Map Fontlab, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

After pasting all my characters in I started the kerning process, keeping the left margin at 0 and editing the right margin, and adjusting after that.

Fig. 1.8 Kerning Fontlab, Week 13 (26/06/2023)


Final

Font Download Link: Download font here



Fig. 1.9 "Hufflepuff" Illustrator Final JPEG, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Fig. 1.10 Metrics Window with Sentence, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Fig. 1.11 "Hufflepuff" Poster Final JPEG, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Fig. 1.12  Final Task 3A: Type Design and Communication "Hufflepuff" PDF, Week 13 (26/06/2023)

Feedback
Week 12

General Feedback: Make sure the poster sentence includes all the letters given.
Specific Feedback: You can move your words down so the space is even and the composition is more balanced.

Week 11

General Feedback: look at the link in regard to punctuation marks. 
Specific Feedback: The stroke of the m could be centered,  and the k stroke isn't smooth. Overall, it could be refined further into something more crisp and clean (curves and sharpness emphasized). Strokes need to be consistent between letters.

Week 10

General Feedback: You've translated your handwriting into Illustrator but now you need to refine it into a typeface. It doesn't have to be super close to the original image it can evolve. 
Specific Feeback: Right now your letters look like they've been image traced. The one done using the brush pen is good, start again using the brush pen. The vertical & horizontal strokes can be reused for different letters. You can use the letter O to get the curved strokes.
Week 9

General Feedback: When doing digitalization make sure to start correctly in size. 
Specific Feedback: Choose uppercase or lowercase, when you start your digitalization you can use the brush tool.

Week 8

Independent Learning Week (no feedback)

Reflection

Experience
This was a very tough typography project for me, I felt very confined by my initial sketch at first. But after a while, I managed to push more and explore further into my typeface.
 
Observation
I observed that fonts are very detailed and require certain nuances to get right. That idea of an optical illusion to give the idea of balance is honestly amazing. I have a new found appreciation for those who take the time to make fonts.

Finding
I found that creating a typeface is very difficult. You have to be patient, and fastidious, and it's pretty tiring. I hope that my skills will grow and I'll be able to create even better fonts in the future. 

Further Reading
Fig 2.1 Typography Referenced, 2012

From the list of recommended books for further reading, I chose to read ' Typography Referenced' which compressive visual guide on language, history, and the practice of typography. 

Reference: Haley, Alleb. (2012). Typography Referenced.
Pages 33- 53: focuses on Typographic principles, I learned a lot about how they transform a letter into a typeface.

Fig 2.2 Page 39


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