Advanced Typography - Task 3/Type Exploration and Application

June 11, 2024

Advanced Typography - Task 3/Type Exploration and Application

12.06.2024 - 24.07.2024 / Week 8 - Week 14

Siang Huey Yee / 0369549

Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Task 3: Type Exploration and Application

OUTLINE

TASK 3 - TYPE EXPLORATION AND APPLICATION

LECTURES

BACK TO OUTLINE

Week 8

Class Summary (Week 8 - 12/6/2024)

Although this week is our independent learning week, Mr. Vinod still held an online Zoom meeting session with us. This gave us a chance to discuss our Task 3 proposals with him and get his approval so we can proceed with designing our fonts as soon as possible.

Week 9

Class Summary (Week 9 - 19/6/2024)

Mr. Vinod asked us to present our Task 3 proposals with three ideas to get his approval so we can proceed with digitising our fonts.

Week 10

Class Summary (Week 10 - 26/6/2024)

Mr. Vinod checked our progress on digitizing fonts and required us to upload our digitized uppercase letterforms to the Facebook group.

Week 11

Class Summary (Week 11 - 3/7/2024)

Mr. Vinod asked us to complete all the letterforms, including uppercase, lowercase, and numerals. He also briefed us on using FontLab, reminding us not to change the width or size when importing the font from Adobe Illustrator to FontLab. Additionally, he mentioned that we should always pay attention to the font preferences and font info before adjusting the side bearings of the fonts.

Week 12

Class Summary (Week 12 - 10/7/2024)

Mr. Vinod asked us to upload our progress on uppercase, lowercase, numerals, and punctuations to the Facebook group. After that, we were instructed to import our fonts into FontLab, following the rules of side bearings for each uppercase and lowercase letterform. Mr. Vinod also asked us to show him our five font presentation artworks (1024px x 1024px, 300ppi) next week.

Week 13

Class Summary (Week 13 - 17/7/2024)

Mr. Vinod asked us to upload our five font presentation artworks to the Facebook group and to proceed with our five font applications (size subject to application but should not exceed 1024px in width or height, 300ppi). Additionally, he reminded that we should complete Task 3 before the Week 14 submission.

INSTRUCTIONS

BACK TO OUTLINE

Module Information Booklet

Task 3 - Type Exploration and Application

BACK TO OUTLINE

In Task 3, students must choose one method from three methods and create a proposal slide deck with three ideas to present to our lecturer for approval on which idea is the best option. Therefore, to be effective, students will need to study their selected area, examine how type is used in that area, and identify potential weaknesses or areas for further exploration or experimentation. Students can then attempt to provide a creative solution or add value to an existing use. Ultimately, students are required to produce an outcome that could be a designed font and its application in the form or format intended to provide a solution, a designed font that adds value to an existing use, or an experimental output that results in something novel and unique.

1) Proposal Slides

I have created a Task 3 proposal presentation to show my lecturer, Mr. Vinod, to get approval for my topic.

Figure 1.1 Proposal Slides - PDF, Week 8 (12/06/2024)

2) Sketches

I have drawn some rough sketches with pencil and marker on paper before my first attempt at digitising the font.

Figure 2.1 Sketches (Pencil), Week 9 (19/06/2024)

Figure 2.2 Sketches (Marker), Week 9 (19/06/2024)

3) Digitisation (Adobe Illustration)

During my first attempt on digitising my uppercase letterform of my fonts, I have design and create my font using box and ruler guidelines as my guides on creating a slightly consistent letterforms.

Figure 3.1 Uppercase Letterforms (First Attempt), Week 9 (19/06/2024)

Figure 3.2 All Uppercase Letterforms (First Attempt), Week 10 (24/06/2024)

Figure 3.3 All Uppercase Letterforms with Reference Font (First Attempt), Week 10 (26/06/2024)

After received feedbacks form Mr. Vinod, I have redesign all my uppercase letterforms where I was being suggested that I should use grid guides to construct my letterforms to ensure the consistency between the letterforms. I was also being advised to do a more careful planning before creating my letters to avoid inconsistencies of letterforms.

Figure 3.4 Uppercase Letter 'A' (Modified), Week 10 (26/06/2024)

Figure 3.5 All Uppercase Letter (Modified), Week 10 (28/06/2024)

After completing the uppercase letterforms, I proceeded to the lowercase letterforms. I also used grid guides to help construct the lowercase letterforms.

Figure 3.6 Lowercase Letter 'a', Week 10 (29/06/2024)

Mr. Vinod asked us to put the lowercase letterforms alongside their corresponding uppercase letterforms to ensure the consistency of the fonts by comparing them side by side. Mr. Vinod also advised me to draw a square box from one of the strokes to ensure the consistency of the stroke width and to put them in red for easier visibility of any differences.

Figure 3.7 Uppercase and Lowercase Letterforms, Week 11 (01/07/2024)

Figure 3.8 Uppercase and Lowercase Letterforms (with red box), Week 11 (03/07/2024)

After completing the uppercase and lowercase letterforms, I continued by constructing the numerals and punctuation marks, using grid guides to assist me.

Figure 3.9 Number '1', Week 11 (05/07/2024)

Figure 3.9 Punctuation Marks '!', Week 11 (05/07/2024)

Figure 3.10 Uppercase & Lowercase Letterforms, Numerals and Punctuations, Week 11 (06/07/2024)

Figure 3.10 Uppercase & Lowercase Letterforms, Numerals and Punctuations (with Guidelines), Week 11 (06/07/2024)

Figure 3.11 All Letters, Numerals, Punctuations (Outline), Week 11 (06/07/2024)

Figure 3.12 All Letters, Numerals, Punctuations (Outline - with Guidelines), Week 11 (06/07/2024)

4) FontLab

After receiving feedback from my lecturer, Mr. Vinod, and making the necessary adjustments, I began importing my font into FontLab to adjust the side bearings according to the rules for each letterform provided in Microsoft Teams. I then exported the font as a .ttf file to finalize the creation of my font. Besides, I have named my font as 'Strionix'.

Figure 4.1 FontLab, Week 12 (10/07/2024)

Figure 4.2 Adjusting Side Bearings, Week 12 (10/07/2024)

5) Font Presentations

After exporting my font, we were asked to create 5 font presentation artworks to showcase our font, including choosing a suitable colour scheme. I chose a modern and futuristic colour palette and aimed for a modern and futuristic design as well.

Figure 5.1 Colour Palette, Week 12 (12/07/2024)

Figure 5.2 Font Presentations (Attempt 1), Week 13 (15/07/2024)

After receiving feedback from my lecturer, Mr. Vinod, he advised me to change the last design of the font presentations, as he thought it was too complicated.

Figure 5.3 Final Font Presentations, Week 13 (17/07/2024)

6) Font Applications

After completing the five font presentation artworks, I proceeded to create five font application artworks. I decided to feature the font on digital products or for a technology company's merchandise to convey a modern, futuristic, and technological vibe, as these characteristics align with the design of my font.

Figure 6.1 Final Font Applications, Week 13 (20/07/2024)

Task 3 Final Submission

Font Presentations:

Figure 7.1 Font Presentations Artwork 1, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.2 Font Presentations Artwork 2, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.3 Font Presentations Artwork 3, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.4 Font Presentations Artwork 4, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.5 Font Presentations Artwork 5, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.6 Font Presentation Artworks - PDF, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Font Applications:

Figure 7.7 Font Applications Artwork 1, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.8 Font Applications Artwork 2, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.9 Font Applications Artwork 3, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.10 Font Applications Artwork 4, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.11 Font Applications 5, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Figure 7.12 Font Application Artworks - PDF, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Font Information Preview:

Figure 7.13 Strionix Font, Week 14 (24/07/2024)

Font Link (for download):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QYrRNYzLCSKgR2u8niJ7So8MIXK6Q6k1/view?usp=sharing

FEEDBACK

BACK TO OUTLINE

Week 8: Task 3 Proposal Presentation (Independent Learning Week)

Specific Feedback: -

General Feedback:

During the online session, Mr. Vinod asked us to quickly proceed with out progression towards Task 3 to get topic approval for our proposal. This would ensure that we could start designing out letterforms as soon as possible.

Week 9: Task 3 Proposal Presentation

Specific Feedback:

Mr. Vinod approved two of my ideas but advised me to explore further to enhance them before creating my font for Task 3.

General Feedback:

Mr. Vinod asked us to familiarize ourselves more with the instructions for Task 3 to ensure we can explore and research the correct areas. Additionally, Mr. Vinod advised us to reached our ideas thoroughly to avoid doing something similar to what others have already done.

Week 10: Digitisation (Uppercase Letterforms)

Specific Feedback:

Mr. Vinod suggested that I use a grid to construct my letterforms to ensure their consistency. Additionally, he advised me to modify my letterforms to maintain a consistent design, particularly for the letters 'D', 'O', and 'Q', where he noticed inconsistencies. He also recommended not creating letters without careful planning, as this can easily lead to design inconsistencies.

General Feedback:

Mr. Vinod advised us to use a grid while constructing our fonts to ensure the consistency of the letterform widths, which helps maintain consistent stroke thickness.

Week 11: Digitisation (Uppercase & Lowercase Letterforms, Numerals and Punctuations)

Specific Feedback:

Mr. Vinod advised me to change the tip points of my font so they do not end with sharp tips, as he suggested that fonts with sharp tips do not look nice and tidy.

General Feedback:

Mr. Vinod asked us to ensure that the font size remains the same when exporting into FontLab to avoid inconsistencies in the font size and width.

Week 12: FontLab

Specific Feedback: -

General Feedback:

Mr. Vinod recommended that we proceed to create a colour palette for showcasing our letterforms to convey the concept on the font applications after creating our font using FontLab.

Week 13: Font Presentations and Font Applications

Specific Feedback:

Mr. Vinod advised me to avoid creating overly complicated font presentation designs to ensure that the viewer can focus on the font I am trying to showcase.

General Feedback:

Mr. Vinod asked us to ensure we search for a suitable colour scheme for our font presentation to better showcase our concept to the viewer.

REFLECTIONS

BACK TO OUTLINE

Experience

While completing Task 3 exercise, I have faced some challenges while completing it which I was slightly confused with the instructions during the proposal presentation phase, but luckily I still get to come out with 3 idea that are required. Additionally, during the digitising process in Adobe Illustrator and the subsequent adjustments in FontLab significantly improved my technical skills and attention to detail. Each stage required meticulous planning and execution, making the entire journey a profound learning experience. I learned to balance creativity with precision, ensuring that each letterform aligned with the overall aesthetic of the font.

Observations

Through this Task 3 exercise, I observed the critical importance of maintaining consistency in letterforms. As I progressed, the significance of structure, side bearings, and visual harmony became increasingly clear. The feedback sessions with Mr. Vinod were invaluable, providing insights that refined my designs and deepened my understanding of typography. His guidance helped me see the subtle nuances that differentiate good typefaces from great ones. I also noted how small adjustments could greatly impact the readability and overall impression of the font.

Findings

Throughout Task 3 exercise, I found that the one significant finding was the need to balance aesthetics and functionality. While my initial designs were complex and visually striking, simplifying them without losing the unique character of the typeface proved to be crucial. This process taught me that sometimes less is more, and that clarity can enhance the impact of a design. Additionally, the final application of the font demonstrated its versatility, showcasing that thoughtful and well-executed designs can be adapted to a wide range of themes and uses. This versatility is a testament to the careful consideration and iterative refinement that went into the creation of the font.

Search This Blog

Siang Huey Yee (0369549)