Typography: Project 2- Font Design
17/05/19 - 24/05/19 (Week 7 - Week 8)
Sia Man Sheng 0333877
Typography: Project 2
Typography: Project 2
LECTURE NOTES
Lecture 6: Text/ Formatting Text
17/05/19 - week 7
In this lecture, we did learn about basics of text formatting:
Kerning is the automatic adjustment of space between letters. The additional or removal of space between letters known as "Tracking". There are loose tracking, normal tracking and tight tracking. In order to identify words and letters, we need some space between two words and removal of space between letters to make it readable.
When talk about text formatting, there is flush left, centred, flush right and justified. Each have different uses but the most often used is flush left as all the text start at the same point. Spaces between words are consistent throughout the text, creating an even grey value. The main purpose of typographers job is to enhance the writer's message and make it clear, appropriate and presentable.
Texture: Heavier stroke could produce a dark mess on the page than a lighter stroke. It creates variation of colour while not all grey tones could fit any situation.
Type size: Text type should be large enough to be read easily, suitable size for paragraph is 8pt -12pt but normally 9pt -11pt is good.
Leading: Text that is set too tightly or too loosely could make the type difficult to read since distract the attention of eye movement.
Line Length: Shorter lines require less leading; longer lines more. Line length should keep between 35-65 characters.
In this lecture, we did learn about basics of text formatting:
Kerning is the automatic adjustment of space between letters. The additional or removal of space between letters known as "Tracking". There are loose tracking, normal tracking and tight tracking. In order to identify words and letters, we need some space between two words and removal of space between letters to make it readable.
When talk about text formatting, there is flush left, centred, flush right and justified. Each have different uses but the most often used is flush left as all the text start at the same point. Spaces between words are consistent throughout the text, creating an even grey value. The main purpose of typographers job is to enhance the writer's message and make it clear, appropriate and presentable.
Texture: Heavier stroke could produce a dark mess on the page than a lighter stroke. It creates variation of colour while not all grey tones could fit any situation.
Leading: Text that is set too tightly or too loosely could make the type difficult to read since distract the attention of eye movement.
Line Length: Shorter lines require less leading; longer lines more. Line length should keep between 35-65 characters.
Lecture 7: Working on Project 2
24/05/19 - week 8
This week has no lecture but Mr. Vinod help us on our letters design. We did learn about how to work with Fontlab Studio.
This week has no lecture but Mr. Vinod help us on our letters design. We did learn about how to work with Fontlab Studio.
Lecture 8: Indicating Paragraph
31/05/19 - week 9
Paragraph Spacing is the space after a paragraph, normally following the size of a leading, e.g. leading= 12pt, paragraph spacing= 12pt
Force Line Weight is use to avoid a single word being separate into two part, it also use to standardize the line length in each paragraph.
Line Spacing = Leading + Line of Type
Indentation on used in Left Justification to indicate the starting of a paragraph as reader's eyes could notice it at first glance.
Widows is a single left at the end of a column while Orphans is a single word left in the starting of a new column. Both should avoid in paragraph layout through adjustment of force line weight in each line to make the paragraph looks not awkward.
Highlighting Text can achieve through adjusting type, colour, bold, Italic and do in mind that body text have to follow the reading axis while making a colour background, using point form and using of quotation marks.
While changing typeface from serif to san-serif should decrease the size of about 0.5p to make the two different typeface look visually in the same size.
Headline,sub-headline and body text are the most common structure in Hierarchy of paragraph. All formatting of headline should be consistent, and sometimes there is a sub-subheadline which can be locate at the beginning of a paragraph.
Paragraph Spacing is the space after a paragraph, normally following the size of a leading, e.g. leading= 12pt, paragraph spacing= 12pt
Force Line Weight is use to avoid a single word being separate into two part, it also use to standardize the line length in each paragraph.
Line Spacing = Leading + Line of Type
Indentation on used in Left Justification to indicate the starting of a paragraph as reader's eyes could notice it at first glance.
Widows is a single left at the end of a column while Orphans is a single word left in the starting of a new column. Both should avoid in paragraph layout through adjustment of force line weight in each line to make the paragraph looks not awkward.
Highlighting Text can achieve through adjusting type, colour, bold, Italic and do in mind that body text have to follow the reading axis while making a colour background, using point form and using of quotation marks.
While changing typeface from serif to san-serif should decrease the size of about 0.5p to make the two different typeface look visually in the same size.
Headline,sub-headline and body text are the most common structure in Hierarchy of paragraph. All formatting of headline should be consistent, and sometimes there is a sub-subheadline which can be locate at the beginning of a paragraph.
INSTRUCTION
Document 2.1 MIB Booklet
Week 7: Type Anatomy and Design
17/05/19
This week is to study a chosen typeface by applying letter anatomy, I chose Gills Sans as my study typeface id because of its simplicity and the huge x-height which make feels friendly.
Letter Anatomy
Throughout letter anatomy, I have a more detail understanding about the Gill Sans in terms of structure：
Letter Design
Details
First Attempt
FEEDBACK
REFLECTION
This week is to study a chosen typeface by applying letter anatomy, I chose Gills Sans as my study typeface id because of its simplicity and the huge x-height which make feels friendly.
Letter Anatomy
Throughout letter anatomy, I have a more detail understanding about the Gill Sans in terms of structure：
Figure 3.1.1 Letter anatomy for letter "e" - finial slightly below baseline (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.2 Letter anatomy for letter "d" - stroke become narrower when joining to the stem (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.3 Letter anatomy for letter "m" - it is the same for both shoulders (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.4 Letter anatomy for letter "n" - stroke become narrower when joining to the stem (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.5 Letter anatomy for letter "o" - it is not a perfect circle but a wider counter (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.6 Letter anatomy for letter "c" - it is horizontally symmetrical (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.7 Letter anatomy for letter "l" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.8 Letter anatomy for letter "a" - heavier stroke on bowl (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.9 Letter anatomy for apostrophe - vertically symmetrical (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.10 Letter anatomy for full stop - a flatten circle shape (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.11 Letter anatomy for letter "i" - dot is slightly lying on right side (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.12 Letter anatomy for letter "s" - a slightly more curvy in the upper body (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.13 Letter anatomy for letter "u"
Figure 3.1.14 Letter anatomy for letter "r" - sharp ending at the ear (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.15 Letter anatomy for letter "v" - vertically symmetrical (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Further analyze of the letters since I think I can express my inspiration better through mannually.
Figure 3.1.16 Letter anatomy through manually (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Letter Design
Next stage is proceed to design the letters digitally after I have done some rough sketches about it. I wanted to a typeface that is clear and readable while enhancing the feelings of Gills Sans to make it feel more warm, welcoming, friendly visually. So I have removed some sharp corner while replacing with a smooth angle. Besides, I also studied calligraphy and handwriting skills in order to adjust on the thickness of the stroke and how should it be written.
Figure 3.1.17 Rough sketches of letters design (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.18 Digitized new design of letter "e" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.19 Digitized new design of letter "m" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.20 Digitized new design of letter "c" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.21 Digitized new design of letter "a" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Details
Figure 3.1.22 narrow the joining section of the bowl of letter "d" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.23 slightly protrude of the spur of letter "a" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.24 Slightly curve at the corner of ascender of letter "d" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.25 Outcome of studying handwriting style of letter "e" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.26 maintain the characteristic of exceeding x-height of letter "a" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Figure 3.1.27 maintain the characteristic of exceeding baseline of letter "u" (Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
First Attempt
Figure 3.1.27 Final Outcome of designing new typeface base on Gill Sans
(Gill Sans - Warm/welcoming/friendly)
Week 8: Type Design and Fontlab
24/05/19
As a result from last week progress, I developed a typeface based on Gill Sans which make it looks general and do not have much character to it. So I recreate a new typeface. Using shape tools and removing all the narrow part by making all stroke same as it require lots of effort in maintaining every details consistent. Geometric shapes are more easy to construct.
Figure 3.2.1 Developing shapes using shape tools from Gill Sans.
Figure 3.2.1 Adding character to it.
As a result from last week progress, I developed a typeface based on Gill Sans which make it looks general and do not have much character to it. So I recreate a new typeface. Using shape tools and removing all the narrow part by making all stroke same as it require lots of effort in maintaining every details consistent. Geometric shapes are more easy to construct.
Figure 3.2.1 Developing shapes using shape tools from Gill Sans.
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.1 Adding character to it.
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
I decided to add futuristic feeling by removing and sharpen the ascender. Secondly, modifying part of the letters into diagonal lines to enhance its characteristic.
Week 9: FInalize Design
31/05/19
Figure 3.3.1 design left some minor part to adjust.
31/05/19
Figure 3.3.1 design left some minor part to adjust.
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
When come to this stage, the character of new typeface are set, and all looking consistent in some way after applying shape tools to reconstruct it. But there are still some minor mistakes to adjust:
Figure 3.2.2 Letter "d" before finalizing
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.3 Letter "d" after making the bowl size same as letter "o"
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.4 Letter "a" before finalizing
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.5 Letter "a" after joining the bowl to the steam and shorten the terminal
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.6 Letter "o" before finalizing
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.7 Letter "o" after making all four corners' angle consistent
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.8 Letter "e" before finalizing
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.9 Letter "e" after applied "c" to its finial
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.10 Letter "s" before finalizing
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.11 Letter "s" after making the spine into diagonal and shorten the finial
(Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.12 Finalized Design with appropriate kerning in Fontlab (Typeface design based on GIll Sans)
Figure 3.2.13 Finalized Design (Typeface design based on Gill Sans)
Week 7 - 17/05/19
General Feedback:
Should have label of personality/ design intention in every caption of images. Final version of project 1 should involve pdf version as well as JPEG version. A good layout is almost all about alignment and how we utilize the space.
Individual feedback:
Individual feedback:
There is contrast between big compact upper blocks and small loose lower blocks which not making the space empty. Blocks are not aligned with each other, should have consistent spaces between every blocks. Strong motion and movement could be observed and eventually it stops by a static blocks at the end acting as a "full stop".
Week 8 - 24/05/19
General Feedback:
We are reconstruct a typeface but not just modify the selected typeface. Suggest to use shape tools to make all letters standardize.
Individual Feedback:
I have a weird stroke in "d", and bowl is all similar but only the joining part have some slightly differences. Besides, "s" should have the thickest part at its spine but not the ascender or descender. "c" and "n" is fine but the counter fo "o" should base on what "c" looks like. Identify / enhance the characteristic.
Week 9 - 31/05/19
General Feedback:
Reflection in our e-blog should not as short as one sentence only. Oppositely, it should be well-explain our understanding development in that particular project. Another thing is communication problem between lecturer and students, Mr. Vinod hope that students could show their opinion or thoughts to him no matter is about dislike the project or lecture is too hard to be captured.
Besides, e-portfolio for this project should include deconstruction of letters with sketches and nice pictures, digitization process and improvement made from time to time. Finally, we need to show letter either is designed based on sketches or existing typeface and compose all on an artboard with generated font.
Individual Feedback:
S should have a slanted spine, "e" should have the same finales with "c", "o" is not the same for four corner, terminal of "a" seems longer than its bowl, "d" seems to be bigger than "o". Standardize everything and beware of the space kerning of full stop and apostrophe.
Week 9 - 31/05/19
General Feedback:
Reflection in our e-blog should not as short as one sentence only. Oppositely, it should be well-explain our understanding development in that particular project. Another thing is communication problem between lecturer and students, Mr. Vinod hope that students could show their opinion or thoughts to him no matter is about dislike the project or lecture is too hard to be captured.
Besides, e-portfolio for this project should include deconstruction of letters with sketches and nice pictures, digitization process and improvement made from time to time. Finally, we need to show letter either is designed based on sketches or existing typeface and compose all on an artboard with generated font.
Individual Feedback:
S should have a slanted spine, "e" should have the same finales with "c", "o" is not the same for four corner, terminal of "a" seems longer than its bowl, "d" seems to be bigger than "o". Standardize everything and beware of the space kerning of full stop and apostrophe.
Experiences:
A great chance for me to expose to typeface in detail, as the project going on, there are so much things that are new to me and have to be catch up fast enough in order to keep me on the same progression with the class. This project is helping me the most in get used to the lectures before and keep on practicing so that could make those knowledge mine such as letter structure, grey value, text formatting etc.
Observations:
Observations:
One thing I observed in this project is that letter is not just a letter, it has a lots of variation in each of the spine, ascender, descender, serif, counter, bowl etc. A small change in angle or stroke could lead to another design of letter, the style could be different, the expression could be vary. Designing typeface is not a simple thing, even just design a letter could have many to consider about. Way to make me have a good sense in designing typeface is through reading.
Findings:
Throughout the project, the letter anatomy, typeface design, text formatting, the only thing to make a typeface work is consistency. The style, structure, shapes, strokes, kerning, line space are elements of setting up a typeface. In order to make that particular typeface readable and applicable is to make them all consistent. From there, then we think of design, to make it more elegant, readable and to have its own style and I really learnt a lot from books, the requirement of need to read a book per week has slowly turn me into a person who is more discipline to find the knowledge that could help me up and digest it.
FURTHER READING
Figure 5.1 Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton
Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton - Week 7 (17/05/19)
In this book I am looking at font anatomy and font design to help up with my project 2. Font anatomy basically is the recap of previous lecture about structure of a letter such as cap height, x-height, serif, bowl, stem, descender, finial, ascender, terminal, spine. BUt there is a lot more detail in this book such as ligature, cross bar, counter, cap height, and overhang.
In a field of text, the greatest density occurs between the baseline and the x-height. X-height affects a letter's size, space efficiency and overall visual impact. The bigger the x-height, the larger the letters appear to be. For example, helvetica can remain legible in small sizes because of its huge x-height. But a loose letter spacing also helps to work well in small size lowercase.
In a field of text, the greatest density occurs between the baseline and the x-height. X-height affects a letter's size, space efficiency and overall visual impact. The bigger the x-height, the larger the letters appear to be. For example, helvetica can remain legible in small sizes because of its huge x-height. But a loose letter spacing also helps to work well in small size lowercase.
Next it comes to typeface design. Commonly used software to design a typeface is fontlab, InDesign and Photoshop but also through drawings. First step in designing a typeface is to define a basic concept. Will the letters be serif or sans serif? Will they be modular or organic? Will you construct them base on geometrical or handwriting? Then start to sketch out few core letters such as o, u, h, and n, building curves, lines and shapes to determine the x-height, line weight and proportions. After that, it comes to adjust the format such as kerning.
For example, Cordale is a font with great potential which can suits any situation. Its lightly condensed proportions and its large x-height make it ideal for use in texts such as newspaper and magazines. Its serif are strong and well-defined, work well in poor printing conditions. The robust design as one of intrinsic beauty, could be clearly demonstrate. Its wide support for other languages such as Latin, Cyrillic and Greek characters is a bonus.
As we are going to work on the final project hence, I am looking at information regrading graphic communication in this book. It is crucial to know the target audience before convey a message to them. As different people might look things differently. For example, Special Large print books were designed for children with weak sight but medical discouraged people with poor vision from using their eyes for "close" reading since it will be harmful to them.
Figure 5.2.1 Typo Latino : 30 types and many more fonts by Jordi Villafranca ; translation Julius Purcell
Typo Latino : 30 types and many more fonts by Jordi Villafranca ; translation Julius Purcell - Week 8 (24/05/19)
Figure 5.2.2 Exposition to typefaces
This book is a showcase of typographers as well as established type designers from all over the world. It outline the process of constructing type with short explanation and examples of application of each typeface. It does gets me have a brief understanding on the working process, final results and the uses of those typefaces.
Figure 5.2.3 Brief introduction to each typeface typefaces, e.g. Cordale
Figure 5.3 What is Typography by David Jury
What is Typography by David Jury
As we are going to work on the final project hence, I am looking at information regrading graphic communication in this book. It is crucial to know the target audience before convey a message to them. As different people might look things differently. For example, Special Large print books were designed for children with weak sight but medical discouraged people with poor vision from using their eyes for "close" reading since it will be harmful to them.
Nowadays, we can see fly posters, sticker or graffiti everywhere, some of them are designed by designers, some are not. Some of the "nondesigned" typography will have been made with commercial or political intent, some will be serendipitous, or caused by neglect. For example, the hand-drawn notice attract attention because we seem to be naturally drawn to anything that is unexpected. A hurriedly drawn price sign on a market stall seems like working well without feeling inappropriate due to the product of its fresh fruit. But if a permanent sign is hurriedly done, its informality will be perceived to be inappropriate.
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