ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY ✦ TASK 3: TYPE EXPLORATION & APPLICATION ✦


ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY ✦ TASK 3: TYPE EXPLORATION & APPLICATION ✦


/5/2024 - 9/6/2024
Week 9  - Week 14

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media


✦ INSTRUCTION ✦

Figure 1.1 MIB


✦ LECTURE ✦

Please refer to task 1.


✦ TASK 3: TYPE EXPLORATION & APPLICATION ✦

In Task 3, you'll apply the reading and software skills you've developed in the program to embark on a creative project. You can choose to create a new font to solve a particular challenge, analyze and enhance existing letterforms in areas that interest you, or innovate through unique experiments using unconventional materials or formats.

Before I embark on the process of digitalization, I always start by conducting thorough research on the specific font that I intend to design. This initial phase involves exploring existing fonts, studying their characteristics, and identifying potential areas for innovation or improvement in line with the project's objectives.


1.0 RESEARCH

Before I embark on the digitalization process, I first conduct extensive research on the creation of pixel fonts. My idea is to design fonts suitable for a game cover, such as "start," "settings," and "more." This involves studying the unique characteristics and requirements of pixel fonts, ensuring they are visually appealing and functional for their intended use in game graphics. 

Figure 2.1 Research from Internet

Figure 2.2 Research from Internet

Figure 2.3 Research from Internet

2.0 DIGITALIZATION

When I started designing my first attempt at pixel fonts, I had no idea how to create the grid. The only solution I came up with was to make sure all the characters were the same height so they wouldn't look weird. This approach helped maintain a consistent and cohesive appearance throughout the design.

Figure 2.4 Attempt 1

After creating "ABC," I noticed that the letters were not the same width and height. I decided to stop and wait until Wednesday to ask for feedback from Mr. Vinod.

Figure 2.5 Attempt 2

In the Wednesday class, I asked for Mr. Vinod's feedback. He opened the grid for me and advised me to use it to ensure that my pixel font characters are all the same height.

Figure 2.6 Font design

After I had completed designing the capital letters, I began the process of creating the lowercase letters. I wanted to ensure that the lowercase letters matched the style and aesthetic of the uppercase ones, maintaining consistency and cohesiveness throughout the entire typeface.

Figure 2.7 Lowercase

3.0 FINAL OUTCOME

Figure 2.8 Final Outcome in JPEG

Figure 2.9 Final Outcome in PDF

FONTLAB

After I had finished designing the letters, I started importing them into FontLab. This process involved meticulously adjusting each character to ensure they fit together harmoniously and met the technical requirements for a professional typeface.

Figure 2.10 Process in Fontlab

After I had imported all the letters into FontLab, I began the process of adjusting the kerning. This involved carefully fine-tuning the spacing between each pair of characters to ensure a visually balanced and harmonious appearance throughout the typeface.

Figure 2.11 Process in Fontlab



After I had completed the work in FontLab, I moved on to Adobe Illustrator to create the poster. This stage involved incorporating the newly designed typeface into the poster layout, applying various design elements, and making adjustments to ensure that everything looked cohesive and visually appealing.


The inspiration came from a digital game I saw online. The game over on it gave me an idea, so I added some designs to it.

Figure 2.12 Process in Fontlab

Secondly, I used the expansion tool in the deformation tool in AI to make the font expand and round, making it more stylish overall.

Figure 2.13 Process in Fontlab


This design comes from a game design cover I saw in printeres, so I referred to some of the typography designs in it.

Figure 2.14 Process in Fontlab


The first thing people think of when they see pixel fonts is games, and games bring people happiness, so I used my pixel fonts to express the word "game" and then used blocks to create a pixel smiley face.


Figure 2.15 Process in Fontlab

The assignment requirements stated that we needed to show the fonts we designed and show their characteristics, so I used the pixel fonts I designed to express all 26 letters including numbers, and also added strokes to them.

Figure 2.16 Process in Fontlab

The teacher asked us to use the posters we made above to apply to products, and asked us to come up with five product design drawings.

The first thing I found was a picture of a mobile phone. I wanted to make it into a mobile phone case to show it.


Figure 2.17 Process in Fontlab

The second one I used is a front and back badge to display one of my posters.

Figure 2.18 Process in Fontlab


The third one I used was a food packaging and I planned to use it to display my poster design.

Figure 2.19 Process in Fontlab

The fourth one I used is a notebook cover to display my poster design because I think this is very suitable.

Figure 2.20 Process in Fontlab

Finally, I want to use an environmentally friendly paper bag that everyone uses on the market as a product to display my poster.

Figure 2.21 Process in Fontlab




Here is my final design:

Figure 3.1 final design


Figure 3.2 final design


Figure 3.3 final design

Figure 3.4 final design


Figure 3.5 final design

Figure 3.6 final design

Figure 3.7 final design

Figure 3.8 final design



Figure 3.9 final design

Figure 3.10 final design




Final presentation PDF


✦ FEEBACK ✦


Week9:
General Feedback: The teacher asked us to find three styles that we were interested in, and make a PPT using our favorite one to create a set of fonts.

Specific Feedback:   The font I want to create is the same as most people's. The teacher said it is better to add some innovation to the font instead of keeping it the same.

Week10:
General Feedback: Don’t copy the reference font exactly, add your own creation to it and use the grid to adjust the design font

Specific Feedback:I need to select the reference fonts to create as soon as possible, and then hurry up to create the fonts.

Week11:
General Feedback:Import the designed font into the font software and install it on your computer

Specific Feedback: Use grids to design fonts instead of blindly creating them on your own, which will result in fonts that are not neat and tidy.

Week12:
General Feedback: Use the fonts you created on your computer to design your font posters and product designs

Specific Feedback:The poster is too monotonous and lacks creativity. The colors are not rich enough. The content is too much the same. The lack of product design needs to be supplemented as soon as possible.

Week13:
General Feedback:  The teacher asked us to continue to complete the font homework including the final reflection and programming. He will check it next week.

Specific Feedback: The teacher checked my feedback and asked me to make up for it as soon as possible and improve my previous work.

Week14:
General Feedback:  The teacher checked all the work of everyone including the final reflection and programming and feedback.

Specific Feedback:  My homework was not completed on time because of a problem with my computer. I have already agreed with the teacher to hand it in on Friday.

✦ REFLECTION ✦

Reflecting on the process, starting with the capital letters laid a solid foundation for the typeface. Designing the lowercase letters ensured consistency throughout. Importing the letters into FontLab allowed for precise adjustments, including detailed kerning for balanced spacing. Finally, using Adobe Illustrator to create the poster highlighted how the typeface worked in a real-world context, integrating it with other design elements effectively. Overall, each step was crucial in bringing the project to completion and deepening my understanding of type design.


✦ FURTHER READING ✦

Figure 3.1 Just My Type

"Just My Type: A Book About Fonts" by Simon Garfield is a fascinating exploration of the world of typography. The book delves into the history, design, and impact of various typefaces, providing readers with an engaging narrative that makes the subject accessible and enjoyable.

History and Evolution: Explores the development of typefaces from early printing to modern digital fonts, highlighting key moments and influential figures in typography.

Cultural Impact: Examines how typefaces influence culture and society, discussing the emotional and psychological effects of different fonts.

Personal Anecdotes: Shares stories about famous type designers, adding a human element to the technical details.

Visual Illustrations: Features numerous illustrations to help readers appreciate the nuances of various typefaces.

Humorous and Accessible Writing: Written in a lighthearted style, making it accessible to both typography enthusiasts and general readers.

Practical Insights: Offers advice on choosing and using typefaces effectively in various contexts, emphasizing their role in communication.



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