Advanced Typography | Task 3 : Type Exploration and Application

12/6/2024- /7/2024 / Week 9 - Week 13

Kerly Ooi / 0358726

Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Task 03 / Type Exploration and Application

INSTRUCTIONS

TASKS

Task 3 - Type Exploration & Application

In task 3, we had to design letterforms for a specific purpose. We are expected to synthesise and apply knowledge gained from exercises, lectures, reading, and software to functions, allowing it to guide our decisions for the effective completion of the final task.

The options:

1. Create a font for a larger problem or part of a solution in your area of interest, such as graphic design, animation, new media, or entertainment design.

2. The process involves analyzing an existing letterform, identifying areas for improvement, and exploring potential solutions to create a fully generated font (.ttf) with various applications.

3. The student must create a unique and novel experiment using various materials, such as 3D, digitally augmented, edible, or fine art, with the end result defined by the student.

Proposal :

I've proposed three ideas. The first idea is to recreate the movie title typeface from 'The Karate Kid.' The second involves investigating a jigsaw puzzle-inspired font and methods to improve it. Finally, consider creating a typeface inspired by the texture of mosaic art-style.

Idea 2

Fig 1.2. Idea 2 , Week

Visual Research :

Fig 1.3 , Visual references , Week

Font Creation :

Digitalisation :

Uppercase

Attempt # 1

I tried to make the letters round and bold for a variety of reasons. Clear, recognisable forms improve readability, making each letter stand out even at small sizes. Rounded typefaces have a warm, pleasant appearance, making them appealing and engaging. Moreover, round and bold letters connect effortlessly, simulating the appearance of jigsaw puzzle pieces and improving visual unity. his design choice adds a sense of playfulness and structural stability, making the typeface more engaging and pleasurable to use.

Fig 1.4 , Making font using grid view , Week

Attempt # 2

After finishing creating the uppercase letterforms, I make some minor changes to letter 'B' as it is thin compared to other letters. Below are adjustments for letter 'B'.

Fig 1.5 ,adjustments for letter 'B' , Week

Then, I added puzzle elements to the letters itself so it suits my idea. Below are letters with puzzle elements.

Fig 1.6 ,Uppercase letters incorporating puzzle elements , Week

Fig 1.7 , Using Grids and Guides for letters and numbers creation, Week

Fig 1.8 , Grids Used, Week

Lowercase

Attempt # 1

Fig 1.9 , Making font using grid view , Week

Attempt # 2

Fig 1.10 , Attempt 2 , Week

Numbers & Punctuations

Attempt # 1

Fig 1.11 , Attempt 1 , Week

Attempt # 2

Fig 1.12 , Attempt 1 , Week

Fontlab 7 :

Import & Export

After finalising the letter, the following step was to import the font into Fontlab.

Fig 2.1 , Importing to FontLab, Week 12

Kerning

Fig 2.2 , Kerning, Week 12

Fig 2.3 , Kerning, Week 12

Fig 2.4 , Kerning, Week 12

Fig 2.5 , Kerning, Week 12

After completing & adjusting the font. I exported all the letterforms and named it as "Puzzle". Next step is to developed five artworks for the following stage, font presentations.

Font Presentation :

When first creating the font presentation, I decided to give it a try with various colour palette to see which one suits my font better.

Fig 3.1 , Process of font presentation #1, Week 13

Fig 3.2 , Process of font presentation #2, Week 13

Fig 3.3 , Types of colour palette, Week 13

Chosen colour palette :

Fig 3.4 , Chosen colour palette, Week 13

Font Application :

After completing the font presentations, I began working on the font applications. I wanted to use my 'Puzzle' font for packaging, applying jigsaw puzzle fonts to create an eye-catching design that stands out on shelves. This approach is particularly effective for products related to games, puzzles, or collaborative projects.

Final Submission

Font Creation :

Fig 4.1 Final Font Design , Week 14

Downloadable font :

Click here for the link to my 'Puzzle' font

Link : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HJGkFjrV9ajqGR5Iy0fiIM5d_UmSEE3p

Font Presentation :

Fig 4.2 Final Font Presentation #1 , Week 14

Fig 4.3 Final Font Presentation #2 , Week 14

Fig 4.4 Final Font Presentation #3 , Week 14

Fig 4.5 Final Font Presentation #4 , Week 14

Fig 4.6 Final Font Presentation #5 , Week 14

Fig 4.7 Final Font & Font Presentation (PDF) , Week 14

Font Application :

Fig 4.8 Final Font Application #1 , Week 14

Fig 4.9 Final Font Application #2 , Week 14

Fig 4.10 Final Font Application #3 , Week 14

Fig 4.11 Final Font Application #4 , Week 14

Fig 4.12. Final Font Application #5 , Week 14

Fig 4.13 Final Font Application (PDF) , Week 14

FEEDBACK

Week 8

Exercises :

ILW

Week 9

Exercises :

General feedback : Try not to be overly ambitious with your project and limit it to your capabilities. However, do not try to avoid doing anything common or generic. A word might be inconsistent, but if it fits your other letters, it could be effective. All letterforms are structured, thus while creating your letterforms, make grids for each letter. You cannot corrupt an existing typeface. Going for abstract font design might be problematic since if it doesn't pull the style off, it will simply appear to be a poor design.

Week 10

Exercises :

General feedback : Create baseline and grids for our font so that its accurate and consistent.

Week 11

Exercises :

General feedback : While creating your typeface, be sure to use the 1000pt structure.

Specific feedback : Make changes to the number '2' and make sure that is in line, also be careful of the width of the letters make sure its the same, overall looks ok

Week 12

Exercises :

General feedback : When developing the font presentation, utilise a minimal number of colours to avoid making it appear too complicated. The font's unique personality is created by using basic and limited colour palettes. You can use another typeface to go along with your main font. Images can be used if needed.

Week 13

Exercises :

General feedback : No feedback

Week 14

Exercises :

General feedback : Make sure that we insert link to download our font. For final compilation, make sure that the quicks links is link to tasks (different tab/ blog) not on the same page..

REFLECTIONS

Experience

The procedure was nearly as challenging as the one in Basic Typography, but there is something unique about developing a typeface that you enjoy. I believe the most difficult aspect of this work for me was time management. Each week, there was a specific thing that needed to be performed, and I just couldn't keep up with the demands of each week, especially with the added pressure of other courses. Each aspect of this work was no easier than the previous one. However, despite the restricted time, I was pleased with the outcome, which is likely why I enjoyed this work.

Observation

Throughout the process, I learnt that developing a font requires a high level of accurateness and consistency. Small mistakes in the design can remove from the typeface's overall appearance and feel. To be effective, the "Puzzle" typeface has to appear consistently across all characters. I also realised how essential the user experience is in typeface design. The mockups allowed me to understand how the typeface would be considered in various contexts, highlighting the significance of readability and aesthetic appeal in a variety of applications.

Findings

I've realised that creating a jigsaw puzzle typeface or any other design-related activity demands a great deal of patience. I found myself constantly analysing my letters, either improving them or pinpointing what was incorrect. The process taught me how to seek for small mistakes or errors in my work. I also learnt that I needed to improve my time management skills after struggling to satisfy the requirement for the next week.