Advanced Typography - Task 3 - Type Exploration and Application
IAN CHOO XIN ZHE / 0369451
Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Task 3
LECTURES
All lectures are done in Task 1 & Task 2.
INSTRUCTIONS
TASKS
Task 3: Type Exploration and Application
We use the knowledge and expertise gained from various exercises, activities, lectures, and personal study to look into this assignment. We are prepared to generate and apply our learnings to our final job since we have a foundation built on both theoretical understanding and practical experience with various software applications in the programme.
Our objective is simple: develop a font that serves a larger purpose, solving a big difficulty or contributing to a solution in our field of interest, whether it's graphic design, animation, new media, entertainment design, or any other relevant industry. The ultimate goal is to create a fully developed font (.ttf) as well as useful applications for it.
Alternatively, we can explore the realm of existing letterforms inside our selected topic. We strive to discover opportunities for improvement and develop creative ideas or combinations that could raise the existing letterform or lettering by thoroughly evaluating their current usage. The finished product is a produced font (.ttf) with practical uses.
The task allows us to explore unexplored territory for individuals who enjoy experimenting. Our project must be truly innovative and one-of-a-kind, allowing for three-dimensional, digitally enhanced, edible, odd, or unconventional typographic expressions. As students, we define the outcomes of such endeavours in our own way.
To be successful in these efforts, we must immerse ourselves in the field of study. We can identify potential flaws or untapped options by closely studying how typography is used in that domain. Armed with this knowledge, we set out on a creative adventure, offering solutions or adding value to established typographic practises.
The rewards of our labour could take many forms, including a precisely designed font and its application targeted to solve or investigate a specific issue, a font that improves on an existing use, or an experimental output that gives birth to something altogether fresh and distinct. The final presentation could include animation, 3D renderings, print materials, ambient installations, projections, movie or game titles, music videos, or the creative use of various materials.
Process & Progress
I eagerly stepped into the realms of Behance and Pinterest in search of inspiration during the early phases of my most recent work. Behance captured my attention with its abundance of completed projects displaying fonts in their final form, as well as presentations and applications. Even before the process of the actual typeface design began, my creative passion was sparked by the simple pleasure of executing a thorough font presentation and application.
As I browsed the interesting designs, I spotted three unique themes that grabbed my curiosity and may potentially serve a role in the field of design. These concepts serve as the foundation of my plan, each with its own character and purpose:
Tech Typeface:
The first theme revolves around a tech or sci-fi typeface, which is defined by geometric accuracy and tech-inspired characteristics. This font is intended for use in UI/UX design and other technology-related jobs, with a sleek and futuristic style.
Playful Vintage:
The second theme offers the attractiveness of a hand-drawn vintage typography, conveying a fun and dynamic attitude. This font, designed for festivals and beach gatherings, intends to convey a sense of nostalgia and carefree attitude in its uses.
Bold Game:
The third theme is centred on a gaming font with powerful and dynamic qualities. This font was designed exclusively for gaming events and advertising materials, and it tries to make a strong case while fitting in with the high-energy atmosphere of the gaming world.
After I showed my three proposed themes to Mr. Vinod during class, his advice was simple: narrow down the options and focus on the ones that appealed to me the most. To follow this advise, I began the path of creating the early drafts in Illustrator, a critical stage in selecting which theme felt the most natural and promising.
The earliest drafts for each theme were created in Illustrator, where I could test the waters and visualise the potential of each idea. As I looked over the designs, it became clear that the first topic, the tech or sci-fi typeface, held the most appeal for me. The power to change geometric shapes was a fascinating concept that opened up a world of design possibilities.
With the decision to pursue the tech-inspired typeface theme firmly in place, the following stage of the creative process took me back to the drawing board, quite literally. I began by sketching thorough drafts of all 26 capital letters, infusing each with a consistent geometric and tech-inspired vibe.
The drawings attempted to represent the desired sleek and futuristic aesthetic, making sure each letter conveyed the intended vibe. While these preliminary ideas serve as the foundation for the typeface, I understand that not all final letter results will be identical to the initial sketch. As the design advances from its conceptual phase to its digital form, this awareness allows for adaptation and improvement.
The drawing process is critical in converting the conceptualised topic into tangible shapes, since it allows for experimentation and creativity in shaping each letter. As I polish these concepts, my ultimate goal is to achieve a harmonious balance between the intended geometric and tech environment, resulting in a visually appealing and meaningful typeface.
The grid has been carefully constructed with a combination of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines intersected by strategically placed circles. This precise arrangement not only aids in correct alignment but also serves as a visual help in keeping the intended geometric and tech-inspired look. This grid, carefully constructed to harmonise the typeface's parts, serves as the foundation for a smooth transfer from sketches to digital forms. It serves as a visual guide, ensuring that each letter corresponds to the desired geometric and technological feel.
Embracing a spirit of innovation and distinctiveness in the typeface design, a pivotal decision was made to elevate its character further. The inside corners of the typeface, originally defined by hard edges, underwent a transformation, adopting rounded contours. This intentional departure from conventional futuristic fonts introduced an unprecedented level of uniqueness, setting this typeface apart in a realm often characterized by angular precision.
The incorporation of rounded inside corners not only added a touch of softness to the overall aesthetic but also contributed to a more approachable and versatile design.
The journey continues with the transition to FontLab, where the digital realm will breathe life into the carefully designed forms. Embarking on the FontLab journey proved to be a slow and unfamiliar start, considering my prior lack of experience with this powerful tool. However, fueled by determination and armed with the guidance of tutorials, the process gradually unfolded into a valuable learning experience.
Navigating the intricacies of FontLab took time, but the initial challenges were met with perseverance. With each tutorial watched and every moment spent exploring the software, a growing familiarity emerged. Through dedication and a willingness to learn, the initial hurdles transformed into triumphs. The culmination of these efforts manifested as the successful generation of the font file.
Experiencing the culmination of this creative odyssey was immensely satisfying, as my typeface seamlessly transitioned from concept to reality. Witnessing it take shape as a fully functional OpenType font file in both Illustrator and Photoshop marked a moment of genuine achievement.
Font Presentation
Transitioning from the technical realm of font generation to the realm of presentation, the focus shifted towards showcasing and selling the meticulously crafted typeface. This phase demanded a significant investment of time and effort, with a commitment to creating a presentation that would truly highlight the font's unique attributes. Drawing inspiration from other font presentations became a valuable part of the process. Studying existing examples served as a source of guidance, offering insights into effective ways to communicate the font's features and strengths.
The design of the presentation itself became a canvas for creative expression. Every element, from layout to visual elements, was meticulously considered and crafted. The goal was clear: to ensure that the font presentation not only showcased the typeface but also resonated with an audience, leaving a lasting impression.
The name "Synthora" for the typeface was chosen with deliberate intent, encapsulating the essence and purpose behind the design. "Synthora" draws inspiration from the fusion of two elements: "synthesis" and "thora." "Synthesis" reflects the amalgamation of diverse and interconnected design elements, capturing the essence of bringing together various shapes and forms within the typeface. Meanwhile, "thora," rooted in Greek, signifies abundance and richness, symbolizing the font's versatility and wealth of design possibilities.
With the color palette set, the font presentation unfolded, encompassing the uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuations. Each glyph was thoughtfully showcased, leveraging the selected colors to enhance the overall visual impact. The design process for the presentation involved a keen eye for detail, ensuring that each element harmonized seamlessly to encapsulate the futuristic spirit embedded in Synthora.
Continuing the journey with Synthora, I integrated the font into quotes and phrases to elevate its promotional impact. By incorporating it into quotes and phrases, I aimed to showcase its versatility and adaptability across different design scenarios.
One noteworthy application involved integrating Synthora into Malaysian location-based words. The numbers beneath "KUALA LUMPUR," "SELANGOR," and "PENANG" served a dual purpose, not only as design elements but also as representations of the respective postal codes for each area. This creative usage not only demonstrated the font's aesthetic appeal but also highlighted its potential for functional and informative design applications.
Font Application
Final Outcome
Font Link: Synthora
FEEDBACK
Week 9 - Task 3
Specific Feedback: Try doing all 3 proposals in Illustrator and then decide which feels the most natural and the best to choose. After chosen, build a grid for your typeface and construct using it.
Week 10 - Task 3
Specific Feedback: All uppercase letters are on the same wavelength and approved, move onto doing the lowercase.
Week 11 - Task 3
Specific Feedback: Lowercase a,r & r are problematic. Numerals must be cap height and ensure stroke width is the same as all the rest, and the ascenders and descenders seem a little long. Rethink you lowercase and perhaps don’t stick to rigidly to the grid when dealing the lowercase. You need to broaden your understanding and look at a lot more type designs to see beyond your current solutions for the lowercase.
Week 12 - Task 3
Specific Feedback: The numbers aren’t the same height or width of the capitals, the height of your parenthesis ought to be larger (a little above ascender and little below the baseline). The leg of the letter k is too short. The top should be shorter than the bottom.
Week 13 - Task 3
N/A
Week 14 - Task 3
N/A
REFLECTION
Experience
Embarking on the journey of creating Synthora was a unique and lengthy process, marking my first foray into the world of crafting a font from scratch. Initially daunting, the task became a fascinating exploration of creativity and technical prowess. I grappled with the initial challenges, feeling a bit lost and spending considerable time pondering the construction of each letterform. The stress was palpable, exacerbated by real-life hiccups and a race against time. Balancing multiple assignments and the desire for excellence tested my time management and discipline, revealing areas for improvement.
Observations
The process unfolded as a valuable lesson in perseverance and the art of managing priorities. Wrestling with the complexities of font construction, I navigated through moments of uncertainty, learning to trust the iterative nature of the creative process. The realization dawned that, despite external pressures, effective time management is crucial for maintaining focus and achieving optimal results. The stressors and overthinking tendencies illuminated areas for personal growth, urging me to find a balance between ambition and pragmatism.
Findings
Ultimately, Synthora's completion stands as a testament to my ability to navigate challenges and deliver results. Acknowledging areas for improvement, especially in time management, positions me to approach future endeavors with a more refined strategy. While recognizing that there is room for enhancement in the final output, the experience has been a valuable chapter in my academic journey. As I reflect, I carry forward the lessons, aiming for continuous improvement and future successes. I'm grateful for Mr Vinod's guidance and it has been a great and interesting experience being his student for the semester and I would like to say thank you to him and wish him the best for his future endavours!
FURTHER READING
elegant themes: How to Create Your Own Font
Creative Bloq: Font design: 17 top tips to create your own typeface
Google Fonts: How typefaces are designed & fonts are made
TypeType: Creating a font from scratch: A detailed guide and tips for choosing software
Toptal: Understanding the Nuances of Typeface Classification
Material Design: Understanding typography
Type 01: Typeface Design
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