Advanced Typography - Task 3: Type Exploration & Application
19.10.2022 - 30.11.2022 ( week 8 - week 14 )
Len Hoi Yee / 0353430
Advanced Typography
Task 3: Type Exploration & Application
Mr.Vinod suggested to get a calligraphy pen, it helps me to get the shape when I draw it out manually. After, listening to Mr.Vinod's explanation, realised that there is an angle or an axis that I have to follow in order to keep consistency throughout the entire typeface.
By using the guide from last semester to create the right size and height for the typeface.
Fig. 2.4 Letter 'A' & 'B', Week 12 (14.11.2022)
For letter 'a', I was adjusting the round part whether it should be higher or lower for the end stroke, because it will affect the entire round shape, on the right it looks bigger, and on the left is smaller. By using the top part of letter 'C', I combined it with a vertical stroke to make the letter 'f'. For letter 'q', i decided to take the bottom part away, considering it may cause problem when kerning.
From the letter 'D' & 'S', it can be seen that the left ones are thinner and the right ones are thicker. The right ones are the second try. For letter 'U', I have changed it to a more clean and consistent 'U' to fit in the entire typeface.
Moving on to the small letters, even though it's only changing the thickness of the strokes, but it took me longer than expected which I have been warned not to do so judging from the time I have left right now.
After kerning the letters in pairs, I tried using some sample text from online to kern them one last time, to ensure smooth, neat, and readability.
I have chosen a band picture and traced it using 'Image Trace' in Illustrator to get the silhouette of it, then some pngs to decorate the entire poster to enhance the vintage look. The color chosen was mainly beige cowboy-ish look kind of colour.
From the picture above, the main colour used by XOXO is mainly beige and maroon colour, there's also checkered pattern on the floor or cushion. I thank god for I could find something to do for my application. I realised that the letter 'X' of 'XOXO' cafe is similar to my typeface. So why not!!
For the menu, I couldn't find the actual menu of their cafe form online, so not all of their items were displayed accurately on this menu, I got the names and description for each food respectively from their Facebook page.
Findings
Further reading
I have used basic shapes to create the base structure of my typeface which is more accurate and has better round end compared to using the Pen tool.
The stoke to height ratio is important, as the higher it is, the more skinny looking the O is. However, it depends on your design. Indeed, we still have to follow the x-height and overshoot size.
The components of letters are similar. This typeface's repeated curves, verticals, horizontals, and serifs work together to add variety and cohesion to typographic designs.
Len Hoi Yee / 0353430
Advanced Typography
Task 3: Type Exploration & Application
Instructions
Task 3: Type Exploration & Application
In this task, we are to develop a font that is intended to solve a larger problem in the area of our interest ( Graphic design, UI/UX, animation, and Entertainment design). The end outcome could be a designed font in its application - any kind of format related to the issue being solved or explored: animation, 3D, ambient, projection, movie title or game title, etc.
Research
Proposal
Sketches
I like the first idea very much and Mr.Vinod too, so I went for the first design. For the first idea, I planned to use the letter 'O' as my base structure, and complete the entire typeface.
Fig. 1.1 Type design sketches, Week 10 (02.11.2022)
From here, I have traced the letter O from the original design. Then, I tried sketching the other letters out before the digitalisation process. However, Mr.Vinod told me that mine doesn't match the concept of the letter 'O' since I am going to use the 'O' as my base structure. There is no consistency and the letter 'O' concept is not implemented in the other letters.
Fig. 1.2 Mr.Vinod's guide, Week 10 (02.11.2022)
Fig. 1.3 Second sketch, Week 11 (07.11.2022)
After getting a calligraphy pen and a calligraphy brush in Procreate, it helped me a lot in sketching the letters out, although there is still more to do.
Digitalisation
Fig. 2.1 Guide, Week 12 (14.11.2022)
Fig. 2.2 Creating the base structure, Week 12 (14.11.2022)
So I have tried out different ways to create the letter 'O' by using the Pen tool and shape. It can be seen that the one created from shapes looks more decent and similar to the original application.
Fig. 2.3 Amending the shape, Week 12 (14.11.2022)
The progress is labeled by 1, 2, and 3 which means they progressed with the numbers labeled in ascending order. Then, I have decided to take #3 as my final base structure.
The base structure and vertical stroke I have created are displayed in the first picture in Fig. 2.4. In figure 2.4, it is the progression of letters 'A' & 'B'.
Fig. 2.6 Letter 'N' & 'S' , Week 12 (14.11.2022)
Fig. 2.7 Letter 'X' , Week 12 (14.11.2022)
Fig. 2.8 Progress for the rest , Week 12 (15.11.2022)
Fig. 2.9 First digitalisation attempt, Week 12 (15.11.2022)
This typeface no longer resembles the original application as I further design it. It is not as heavy enough to fit in a song album. After receiving Mr.Vinod's feedback, I had 2 paths to move on, which is either go with my current typeface which looks a bit thinner or I make it thicker and resemble the original one. However, I feel the original one looks more like a display font, but my intention is to create a font that can be used not only for display but a font that can be used widely. After struggling with being indecisive, I decided to make it thicker, which can be said that I have modified the font. On top of that,
Second attempt on typeface digitalisation
My typeface has been modified and it will not fit in any song album anymore since it doesn't have the heaviness and impact to fit in a song album. Hence, I continued with what I have instead I had made the strokes thicker than before.
Fig. 2.10 Base structure with new thickness, Week 12 (17.11.2022)
Start off by creating the base structure before designing a letter.
Fig. 2.11 Changing the thickness of the typeface, Week 12 (17.11.2022)
Fig. 2.12 Changing the thickness of the typeface for small letters, Week 12 (18.11.2022)
Fig. 2.13 Progress, Week 12 (18.11.2022)
Fig. 2.14 Creating numbers, Week 12 (19.11.2022)
I struggled a lot with creating the number 8. It actually took me an hour plus to complete it, I couldn't make the shape, in the end I decided to trace the '8' from reference and modify from it.
Fig. 2.15 Creating punctuations, Week 12 (19.11.2022)
The punctuations needed were : `~!@#$%^&*()_-+=\|}{[]:;”’<,>.?/. We are supposed to do half of the needed punctuation.
Fig. 2.16 Comparison between 1st & 2nd attempt, Week 12 (19.11.2022)
Kerning
In kerning process, I have found this link: http://www.as8.it/type/basic_kerning_text.html that helps us kerning in Fontlab.
Fig. 3.2 Kerning, Week 13 (22.11.2022)
First, I list out the letters accordingly and kern them, then, I used the link above, to kern every letters, numbering and punctuation.
Fig. 3.2 Kerning using sample text, Week 13 (22.11.2022)
Application
1st Attempt
For the application to showcase my Hunchback Typeface, I have planned to design some rock band posters along with some merchandise.
Before starting this process, I had to come up with a fictional band name in order to continue and here are the applications I planned to design to showcase my typeface:
- Posters
- Beanie
- T-shirt
- Album Track List
- Keychain
- Lyrics on picture
- A music festival with all the artist line-up
Fig. 4.1 Fictional band name, Week 13 (24.11.2022)
The Riley Bees is the fictional band name I have come up with. The reason behind it is because I have always been into rock bands and songs, so why not I could design a rock band poster for my fictional band. The Riley Bees is a 00's rock band with 4 members. Their main genre is rock and indie rock.
Fig. 4.2 Rock band posters reference, Week 13 (24.11.2022)
Fig. 4.4 Posters , Week 13 (24.11.2022)
Fig. 4.5 Album track list, Week 13 (24.11.2022)
One of the easiest way to showcase my typeface would be listing the songs in the album. It includes Uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numberings too.
Fig. 4.6 Lyrics in picture, Week 13 (24.11.2022)
Fig. 4.7 T-shirt, Week 13 (24.11.2022)
Fig. 4.8 Beanie, Week 13 (24.11.2022)
Fans can customise their names on it or just buy the one with the band's name on it.
Fig. 4.10 Music festival poster, Week 13 (24.11.2022)
An interesting website called instafest connects to your Spotify and showcases your favourite artists and bands of all time throughout the year. Therefore, I was thinking I could redo it in my own way by using my own typeface too!
2nd Attempt
In the last class of the semester, Mr. Vinod suggested on how I should use my typeface on a right application in order to bring beauty out of it. After class, I went to campus to accompany my friend while doing my work, I was frustrated with what application I should do for my typeface, considering it is a casual and formal kind of typeface. Then, the idea of aesthetic cafe popped out in my mind, and I immediately thought of the aesthetic cafe that just opened in our campus this year, 'XOXO' cafe.
Fig. 4.11 'XOXO' cafe overall design, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 4.12 Making a logo, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
By using the available information on social media, I have used their cafe line 'fusion, coffee, and pastries and make them into a circle surrounding the 'XOXO' logo.
Fig. 4.13 Logo for 'XOXO' cafe, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 4.14 Business card, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 4.15 Cups, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 4.16 Keychain, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 4.18 Chalkboard, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 4.19 Menu, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Final Outcome
Font download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NOSuBZ3i5ok2pXkkX9aX6oGHNtIvnuy4/view?usp=sharing
Fig. 5.2 Hunchback Uppercase set - JPEG, Week 14 (24.11.2022)
Fig. 5.3 Hunchback Lowercase set - JPEG, Week 14 (24.11.2022)
Fig. 5.4 Hunchback Numbering and Punctuation set - JPEG, Week 14 (24.11.2022)
Final Outcome in PDF:
Applications:
Fig. 5.5 Logo for 'XOXO' cafe, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 5.7 Cups, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 5.9 Tote bag, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Fig. 5.10 Chalkboard, Week 14 (30.11.2022)
Final outcome in PDF:
Feedback
Week 12
A nice-looking typeface, but it doesn't look the same as the one you originally referred to, it has to be thicker. It's nice but it doesn't go well with the album, you should think about something else. The thinner the typeface, the less holding power it has when you place it on something. The question right now is, whether this work as a replacement of that particular typeface or not, or maybe this typeface work for other album, it's is not as noisy as that. If you keep making it thicker and thicker, the details you have created for the typeface is going to disappear. At the end of the day, you can still say you have created this typeface that you now have, and this typeface no longer suits the original application, so you modified it and document that in your blog. Remember to make changes to these letters: 'Q', 'L', 'n', 'y'.
Week 11
It is a very informal typeface, you need to formalise it. It is good that you have found a typeface design but you have to find a right application for it. The axis that you created, eventually will apply to every letters, and when you digitalise it, everything will become consistent. As long as you maintain the axis, then you should be fine. Formalising it means introducing consistent structure into your letterforms. Right now, there is no structure, there is just basic ideas of how you want the letterforms to be designed. Second phase, adjusting the contours of the shape.
Week 10
The shape of your O is perfect, but how you translated it into other letters are not. You have to make it consistent and the axis too.
Reflection
Experience
It was a very time-comsuming task, it took me longer than expected to complete the digitalisation stage. Although my final outcome does not look liike the original application but I am very satisfied with the modified version. I could have listened to Mr.Vinod's advice, going for the one already completed but I gave myself some time and look at the typeface I have created, it didn't really catch my heart that much compared to this modified version, hence, I am very glad and proud too, that I designed 'Hunchback'. For the application, at first Mr.Vinod already advice me that my current typeface does not fit in song albums but I thought my typeface could still work, then, when Mr.Vinod viewed my work, "it doesn't fit in music-related stuff" he said. I was crushed because it took me days to complete those applications. After calming myself down, I thought it through, and I came to realise that yes, it doesn't have the heaviness and impact to represent a rock band. It is a neat, unique, marker-pen looking typeface, which many of my friends have been telling me that. Hence, I had very little time to complete the applications but im quite satisfied with it. I just wanna say it was a great experience when designing 'Hunchback', all the details, the struggle to maintain consistency in every letter, at one point I was very confused if I was on the right path, but sometimes the more you're wandering in the confusion, the longer you won't be able to step out of it. The best way would be follow your instinct and do it. For example, some letters dont have the shape as the base structure ( letter 'O' ) like X, Y, Z, so the struggle I was going through is maintaining consistency, but as long as the concept is implemented in each letter then it would be fine. and sometimes things don't turn out the way you imagined how it would be.
Observation
I have observed many of the bands not only rock genre bands, but in general, the typeface used in music bands are pretty solid, heavy, impact, and dramatic. All these characteristics in a typeface are key to bring impact to the band. Clearly, 'Hunchback' does not have those characteristics and can't fit in music bands.
I found that thicker typefaces can be used more widely and compared to the thinner ones, not saying the thinner ones aren't good but the thin strokes are less impact than the thicker ones.
Fig. 6.1 Letterforms analysed
Fig. 6.2 Proportions of the letterform
Fig. 6.3 Unity of design in type font
The components of letters are similar. This typeface's repeated curves, verticals, horizontals, and serifs work together to add variety and cohesion to typographic designs.
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