Advanced Typography / Task 3

1. Create a New Font: Design a font that solves a problem or contributes to a solution in your area of interest (graphic design, animation, etc.). Deliverable: a complete font (.ttf) with applications.

2. Improve an Existing Letterform: Study an existing letterform, identify improvements, and create a new version. Deliverable: a complete font (.ttf) with applications.

3. Experiment: Conduct a unique experiment with typography (e.g., 3D materials, digital augmentation, edible materials, etc.). Deliverable: defined by the student.

Our final product should be a complete generated font (.ttf) with applications.

1. Proposal

I have proposed three ideas. The first is to design a Halloween-themed typeface inspired by the movie 'Maleficent' . The second is to complete a typeface based on the album title 'NOEASY' by Stray Kids. The third is to finish the typeface I developed in Task 2.

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2. Idea Development

Idea #1 Creating a Halloween-themed typeface

After deciding to go with Idea 1, I began sketching the uppercase letterforms. I initially based my sketches on the font from 'Maleficent'. Afterward, I added spider web details to the letterforms.

Fig.3.2.1 (Left) References, ( Right) Sketches , Week 9, 19.6.2024

After finishing the sketches, I started digitising all the uppercase letterforms in Illustrator. First, I set up the guidelines to determine the ascender height, cap height, overshoot, median, baseline, baseline overshoot, descender height, and descender overshoot.

Fig.3.2.2 Set up the guidelines , Week 9, 19.6.2024

Then, I began digitising the letterforms based on my sketches. Here are the results without the spider web details added.

Fig.3.2.3 (Left) Process work ( Right) Results without spider web, Week 9, 19.6.2024

Here are the results with the spider web details added.

Fig.3.2.4 Results with spider web , Week 9, 19.6.2024

During the Week 10 class, Mr. Vinod commented that the spider web does not integrate well with the letterform. After receiving his feedback, I realised that I might not be able to continue with this idea because it took too much time to create and think of another creative way to make it a Halloween-themed typeface. Therefore, I decided to choose Idea #3, which is to continue completing the typeface I developed in Task 2.

Idea #2 Complete typeface from task 2

I created a simple and minimalist typeface for Task 2, but only four letterforms are completed: B, O, N, and G.

Fig.3.2.5 Four letterforms that created in Task 2 , Week 10, 26.6.2024

Therefore, I began digitising the remaining letterforms based on the four completed letterforms. To maintain consistency, Mr. Vinod suggested using a grid structure when creating the letterforms. So, I created a grid structure and set up guidelines based on a 500pt x-height, following the guidelines I established for Idea #1.

Measurements:

Ascender: 705 pt

Cap height: 666 pt

X-height overshoot: 516 pt

X-height: 500 pt

Baseline: 0 pt

Baseline overshoot: -13 pt

Descender: -213 pt

Fig.3.2.6 Create the grid structure & set up guidelines, Week 10, 26.6.2024

Below is the initial process of developing the letterforms.

Fig.3.2.7 Initial process of uppercase letter , Week 10, 26.6.2024

I found that sticking to the minimalist style of the four letterforms might make them harder to identify and read. So, I decided to add some lines and circle shapes to enhance their readability.

Fig.3.2.8 Adding lines and circle shape into letterforms , Week 10, 26.6.2024

After completing the uppercase letters, I moved on to digitising the numbers.

Fig.3.2.9 , Process of digitising numbers, Week 10, 26.6.2024

In the Week 11 class, Mr. Vinod mentioned that the stroke lines inside the letterforms are too thin and suggested making them thicker to increase visibility.

Fig.3.2.10 ( Above) Thin lines ( Below) Thicker lines on uppercase letter, Week 11, 3.7.2024

Fig.3.2.10 ( Above) Thin lines ( Below) Thicker lines on numbers , Week 11, 3.7.2024

After refining all the uppercase letters and numbers, I moved on to digitising the lowercase letters and punctuation.

Fig.3.2.11 Process work of digitising lowercase letters, Week 11, 3.7.2024

Fig.3.2.12 Process work of digitising punctuation, Week 11, 3.7.2024

Final Font Design

Fig.3.2.13 Final Font Design, Week 11, 3.7.2024

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3. Developing final font in Fontlab 7

I imported all the letterforms from Illustrator into FontLab 7.

Fig.3.3.1 Importing letterforms into Fontlab7, Week 11, 3.7.2024

After that, I adjusted the kerning and letter spacing for all the letterforms, numbers, and punctuation.

Progress of kerning:

Fig.3.3.2&3 ( Left) Process of kerning for uppercase ( Right) Process of kerning for lowercase, Week 11, 3.7.2024

Fig.3.3.4 Process of kerning for numbers and punctuations, Week 11, 3.7.2024

Fig.3.3.5 Process of adjusting letter spacing, Week 11, 3.7.2024

After adjusting everything, I exported all the letterforms and named the font "Bubble Pop."

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4. Font Presentation

To begin, I looked for some references on Pinterest. For the colour selection, I decided to use the same colour palette from Task 2.

Fig.3.4.1 ( Left ) References ( Right ) Colour palette, Week 12, 10.7.2024

Then, I began exploring the layout for my font presentation. We need to create five artworks, each with dimensions of 1024px by 1024px.

Fig.3.4.2 Process work of font presentation, Week 12, 10.7.2024

Fig.3.4.3 Attempt #1, Week 12, 10.7.2024

For my second attempt, I decided to use a gradient in the background to add more depth. I also integrated a bubble image into the main presentation artwork, which introduces the font name.

Fig.3.4.4 Using gradient in background, Week 12, 10.7.2024

Fig.3.4.5 Integrating bubble image, Week 12, 10.7.2024

Fig.3.4.6 Attempt #2, Week 12, 10.7.2024

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5. Font application

I want to use my bubble font for an event. The event I selected is a music festival. Therefore, I started planning how to apply my font for the festival. The first thing I considered was designing a poster to introduce the music festival, as well as creating some merchandise to be sold at the event. I think the typical merchandise at a music festival includes T-shirts, tote bags, wristbands, and caps. Therefore, I searched for mockups that I could use for the merchandise. I named the music festival "VibeFest 2024," which will be held on September 15, 2024. I then began designing the poster and other merchandise.

#1 Outside signage

I selected a subway advertising display mockup and plan to apply my music festival poster to it.

Fig.3.5.1 Subway advertising display mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.2 Poster created in Illustrator, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.3 Apply the poster into mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

#2 Wristband

In a music festival, a wristband is needed to differentiate between attendees. So, I applied my design to the wristband mockup.

Fig.3.5.4 Wristband mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.5 Design created in Illustrator, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.6 Apply the design into mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

#3 T-shirt

I found a T-shirt mockup on Mockup Tree and designed it with a simple "VibeFest 2024" logo on the left chest.

Fig.3.5.7 T-shirt mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.8 Design created in Illustrator, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.9 Apply the design into mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

#4 Tote bag

I also found a tote bag mockup on Mockup Tree. I plan to design it with a vinyl disc, reusing the vinyl disc I created for my Semester 1 final project and incorporating it into the design.

Fig.3.5.10 Tote bag mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.11 Design created in Illustrator, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.12 Apply the design into mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

#5 Cap

For the cap design, I created a simple "VibeFest 2024" logo and applied it to the cap mockup.

Fig.3.5.13 Cap mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.14 Design created in Illustrator, Week 13, 17.7.2024

Fig.3.5.15 Apply the design into mock up, Week 13, 17.7.2024

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Final Task 3 / Type Exploration & Application

Final Font Design

Fig.3.6.1 Final Font Design, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Downloadable font link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jQewMJQfNEeHmhC_Jykse1atQb2VmasV/view?usp=drive_link

Font tester

Font Application

Fig.3.6.2 Font Presentation #1, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.3 Font Presentation #2, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.4 Font Presentation #3, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.5 Font Presentation #4, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.6 Font Presentation #5, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.7 Final Font Presentation ( PDF ) , Week 14, 23.7.2024

Font Application

Fig.3.6.8 Font Application #1, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.9 Font Application #2, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.10 Font Application #3, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.11 Font Application #4, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.12 Font Application #5, Week 14, 23.7.2024

Fig.3.6.13 Final Font Application ( PDF ) , Week 14, 23.7.2024

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FEEDBACK

Week 8

General Feedback : It is recommended to have multiple topics when preparing the proposal for task 3. If one topic doesn't work out, I'll have other options to try. The problem addressed by the topic needs to be clearly defined and specific.

Week 9

General Feedback : To ensure consistency, it's essential to have a structured grid in the background while developing the typeface. Always base the new letterforms on the fundamental letterforms we've established, using the basic elements of these references to maintain a cohesive design throughout the typeface.

Week 10

General Feedback : Using a grid structure is crucial for creating letterforms because it helps maintain consistent proportions and spacing, ensuring clarity and visual balance in the design.

Specific Feedback : The letterforms lack consistency and do not utilise a grid structure. Additionally, the spider web motif does not integrate well with the letterforms, and the structure of the letters J and W is incorrect.

Week 11

General Feedback: The letterform should fit within the 1000pt artboard. It's essential to provide process work to demonstrate that it was created by ourselves.

Specific Feedback: The stroke lines inside the letterforms are too thin; they become invisible when zoomed out. I need to increase their thickness significantly.

Week 12

General Feedback: For the font presentation, make it more impactful by using a fixed colour palette. For the font application, consider the problem we want to solve and ensure that the font application is related to the problem.

Week 13

Specific Feedback: Create more variations to showcase the font, incorporating different colours and styles to add depth and dimension to the overall design. This will help make the presentation more visually engaging and highlight the font's versatility and impact.

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REFLECTION

Experience: In Task 3, I felt rushed from the very beginning due to the tight timeline. I initially set out to create a Halloween-themed typeface inspired by Maleficent, but after sketching the uppercase letters and adding spider web details, feedback pointed out that the design wasn't cohesive. Realising that this idea was too time-consuming, I switched to completing a minimalist typeface I had started in Task 2. I quickly digitised the remaining letterforms, used a grid structure for consistency, refined the design based on feedback, and named the font "Bubble Pop." I then explored layout options and applied the font to various design elements, using the same colour palette from Task 2.

Observations: The short deadline made the whole project feel like a race against time. Feedback was crucial but incorporating it quickly was tough. Maintaining consistency with a grid structure helped, but the need to adapt quickly when my initial idea didn't work out was challenging. Switching from a complex Halloween theme to a simpler minimalist design allowed me to focus better. Planning and mockup testing were invaluable, especially when applying the font to event posters and merchandise.

Findings: The rushed timeline really showed me how important it is to be flexible and iterative in the design process. Consistency and readability are crucial in typeface design, but achieving these under time pressure was tough. Even with the tight schedule, careful planning and mockup testing helped me produce a polished final product. Trying out different variations and presentation styles made the font stand out more. Applying the font to real-world scenarios highlighted its versatility and usability, and emphasised the need for thorough planning, feedback, and adaptability throughout the design process.

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