18.5.2021 - 1.6.2021 (Week 7 - Week 10)
Wendy Seto / 0348805
GCD60104 Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 3A: Type Design & Communication
Type Designing
Wendy Seto / 0348805
GCD60104 Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 3A: Type Design & Communication
LECTURES
Week 7: During the practical session, the lecturers started to explain about
our next task which I think is a whole different level. We were first
introduced to the anatomy of a type, not gonna lie it was pretty
interesting. However, I have never thought that letterform could be
this complex though. Well, I guess there is a reason why is it called
as Typography, fact is the word itself sounds as complicated as
Biology. Understanding both subject is hard, but we decide which hard
we want to conquer. And here I am.
This is what we learned today:
fig 1.1 the anatomy of a type
We were then told to deconstruct three letters using one typeface
from the 10 given in the beginning of the semester and after
understanding the concept we are assigned to design our own typeface.
Mr. Vinod also gave us a quick demo on how he created his own typeface
in Adobe Illustrator.
Week 8: Mid-Semester Independent Learning Week.
Week 9: This week, the class is focusing mainly on the progression of task
3A. I submitted my progress to the Facebook post and received some
feedback from both lecturers. Some students were consultating about
their typeface ideas and seeking for answers to solve their designing
and digitalizing struggles and misunderstandings.
This is what we learned today:
fig 1.1 the anatomy of a type
We were then told to deconstruct three letters using one typeface from the 10 given in the beginning of the semester and after understanding the concept we are assigned to design our own typeface. Mr. Vinod also gave us a quick demo on how he created his own typeface in Adobe Illustrator.
Week 8: Mid-Semester Independent Learning Week.
Week 9: This week, the class is focusing mainly on the progression of task 3A. I submitted my progress to the Facebook post and received some feedback from both lecturers. Some students were consultating about their typeface ideas and seeking for answers to solve their designing and digitalizing struggles and misunderstandings.
INSTRUCTIONS
Module Information Booklet
TASK 3A
Type Deconstructions:
Before working on the actual task, I work on the letter
deconstructions first. I have chosen 3 letters to be
deconstructed, e, d
and y. At first, I got a little confused on how to do it because I
cannot seem to find any article or video about it on the
internet. The example Mr. Vinod showed during the class is way
too complicated that made me hard to digest. Luckily, one of my
classmate showed me the simpler references she found earlier and
I immediately understand how it works, or at least I think I do
hahaha.
I created three artboards, one for each letter. Then started
creating the guide from ascender line, median line, baseline to
descender line. The typeface I am using here is Serifa
Std.
fig 1.1 creating guides 24/5/21
fig 2.2 letter e type deconstruction 24/5/21
For the letter d, I did twice and export both.
fig 2.3 letter d type deconstruction 24/5/21
fig 2.4 letter y type deconstruction 24/5/21
I surprisingly had fun doing this exercise! I wanted to make a simple deconstruction but I cannot help myself to add more lines and circles so here we go.
TASK 3A
Type Deconstructions:
Before working on the actual task, I work on the letter
deconstructions first. I have chosen 3 letters to be
deconstructed, e, d
and y. At first, I got a little confused on how to do it because I
cannot seem to find any article or video about it on the
internet. The example Mr. Vinod showed during the class is way
too complicated that made me hard to digest. Luckily, one of my
classmate showed me the simpler references she found earlier and
I immediately understand how it works, or at least I think I do
hahaha.
I created three artboards, one for each letter. Then started
creating the guide from ascender line, median line, baseline to
descender line. The typeface I am using here is Serifa
Std.
fig 1.1 creating guides 24/5/21
fig 2.2 letter e type deconstruction 24/5/21
For the letter d, I did twice and export both.fig 2.3 letter d type deconstruction 24/5/21
fig 2.4 letter y type deconstruction 24/5/21
I surprisingly had fun doing this exercise! I wanted to make a simple deconstruction but I cannot help myself to add more lines and circles so here we go.
fig 2.2 letter e type deconstruction 24/5/21
For the letter d, I did twice and export both.
fig 2.4 letter y type deconstruction 24/5/21
I surprisingly had fun doing this exercise! I wanted to make a simple deconstruction but I cannot help myself to add more lines and circles so here we go.
Type Designing
Week 8:
fig 2.1 my typeface ideas sketch 24/5/21
I selected one to digitalize in Adobe Illustrator.
fig 2.1 importing to Illustrator 24/5/21
fig 2.2 start tracing with pen tool 24/5/21
fig 2.3 try applying a serif 24/5/21
fig 2.4 forming more letters 24/5/21
fig 2.5 my typeface design (1st attempt) 24/5/21
Week 9:
From the week 9 class, I received some useful feedback from the lecturers. Firstly, they saw my typeface sketches as shown on fig 2.1 and pick one they think is interesting. They said all of my typeface designs almost look the same maybe because I was using the same tool to sketch it.
fig 2.6 my type design that the lecturers like the most 25/5/21
Furthermore, they talked a bit about my finalized typeface design as shown on fig 2.5, it was an interesting typeface that I could continue to work on but some letters are still not following the guide lines correctly. I do realize the issue but I am struggling on fixing it with the pen tool, everytime I tried to move the anchor point it just distorted the whole letter form.
From todays class, I figured out that we have to be inspired from an existing typeface. I asked one of my classmate whose typeface design is approved by the lecturers, she got a pretty nice feedback from them.
I did another attempt on designing my typeface on Adobe Illustrator. This time I used Futura as a reference.
fig 2.7 my typeface sketch that I decided to develop 31/5/21
fig 2.8 reference typeface 31/5/21
fig 2.9 forming the letter "a" 31/5/21
Mr. Vinod taught us to use one letter to create another letter, for example use the letter "a" to create the letter "p" instead of re-constructing it from scratch so it is easier to manage the consistency.
fig 2.10 duplicating the letter "a" 31/5/21
fig 2.11 creating the letter "p" from the letter "a" 31/5/21
In the middle of constructing my letter forms, I came up with this idea of "lily pad" out of nowhere. I guess I was inspired by the game Plants Vs Zombies.
fig 2.12 the lily pad plant from the game plants vs zombies 31/5/21
fig 2.13 period inspired by lily pad 31/5/21
fig 2.14 creating the rest of the letters 31/5/21
fig 2.15 my final typeface design 31/5/21
Week 10:
Moving on, we have to bring our design into life using FontLab 7. At first, some of my classmates asked me if I am struggling using the software, and I thought I did not. This is my first try on importing my design to FontLab 7.
fig 2.16 importing to font lab 1/6/21
After a while, I realized that each imported letters were automatically placed above the descender line. Now, I know I am struggling as well.
fig 2.17 uh oh 1/6/21
I asked my friend, Wiceline and she told me that I have to adjust the imported letter position manually.
fig 2.18 adjusting each letter to follow the guide lines 1/6/21
fig 2.19 final fontlab preview 1/6/21
After our typeface is successfully exported, we are assigned to make a poster to show it off. These are the three posters I designed during the practical session:
fig 2.20 poster designs 1/6/21
Mr. Vinod told me to not ever design something like the middle one, I am still not sure why because honestly I kinda like it hahahah. Furthermore, he suggested me to work on the third poster design but take that lily pad out because it is unnecessary and probably fix the kerning a bit. He said he liked the unique composition here, I do too!
fig 2.21 final poster design 1/6/21
I selected one to digitalize in Adobe Illustrator.
fig 2.4 forming more letters 24/5/21
fig 2.5 my typeface design (1st attempt) 24/5/21
Week 9:
From the week 9 class, I received some useful feedback from the lecturers. Firstly, they saw my typeface sketches as shown on fig 2.1 and pick one they think is interesting. They said all of my typeface designs almost look the same maybe because I was using the same tool to sketch it.
fig 2.6 my type design that the lecturers like the most 25/5/21
fig 2.9 forming the letter "a" 31/5/21
fig 2.10 duplicating the letter "a" 31/5/21
fig 2.11 creating the letter "p" from the letter "a" 31/5/21
fig 2.14 creating the rest of the letters 31/5/21
fig 2.15 my final typeface design 31/5/21
fig 2.16 importing to font lab 1/6/21
fig 2.17 uh oh 1/6/21
fig 2.18 adjusting each letter to follow the guide lines 1/6/21
fig 2.19 final fontlab preview 1/6/21
fig 2.20 poster designs 1/6/21
fig 2.21 final poster design 1/6/21
From the week 9 class, I received some useful feedback from the lecturers. Firstly, they saw my typeface sketches as shown on fig 2.1 and pick one they think is interesting. They said all of my typeface designs almost look the same maybe because I was using the same tool to sketch it.
fig 2.6 my type design that the lecturers like the most 25/5/21
Furthermore, they talked a bit about my finalized typeface design as shown on fig 2.5, it was an interesting typeface that I could continue to work on but some letters are still not following the guide lines correctly. I do realize the issue but I am struggling on fixing it with the pen tool, everytime I tried to move the anchor point it just distorted the whole letter form.
From todays class, I figured out that we have to be inspired from an existing typeface. I asked one of my classmate whose typeface design is approved by the lecturers, she got a pretty nice feedback from them.
I did another attempt on designing my typeface on Adobe Illustrator. This time I used Futura as a reference.
fig 2.7 my typeface sketch that I decided to develop 31/5/21
fig 2.8 reference typeface 31/5/21
From todays class, I figured out that we have to be inspired from an existing typeface. I asked one of my classmate whose typeface design is approved by the lecturers, she got a pretty nice feedback from them.
I did another attempt on designing my typeface on Adobe Illustrator. This time I used Futura as a reference.
fig 2.7 my typeface sketch that I decided to develop 31/5/21
fig 2.8 reference typeface 31/5/21
fig 2.9 forming the letter "a" 31/5/21
Mr. Vinod taught us to use one letter to create another letter, for example use the letter "a" to create the letter "p" instead of re-constructing it from scratch so it is easier to manage the consistency.
fig 2.10 duplicating the letter "a" 31/5/21
fig 2.11 creating the letter "p" from the letter "a" 31/5/21
In the middle of constructing my letter forms, I came up with this idea of "lily pad" out of nowhere. I guess I was inspired by the game Plants Vs Zombies.
fig 2.12 the lily pad plant from the game plants vs zombies 31/5/21
fig 2.13 period inspired by lily pad 31/5/21
fig 2.12 the lily pad plant from the game plants vs zombies 31/5/21
fig 2.13 period inspired by lily pad 31/5/21
fig 2.14 creating the rest of the letters 31/5/21
fig 2.15 my final typeface design 31/5/21
Week 10:
Moving on, we have to bring our design into life using FontLab 7. At first, some of my classmates asked me if I am struggling using the software, and I thought I did not. This is my first try on importing my design to FontLab 7.
fig 2.16 importing to font lab 1/6/21
After a while, I realized that each imported letters were automatically placed above the descender line. Now, I know I am struggling as well.
I asked my friend, Wiceline and she told me that I have to adjust the imported letter position manually.
fig 2.18 adjusting each letter to follow the guide lines 1/6/21
fig 2.19 final fontlab preview 1/6/21
After our typeface is successfully exported, we are assigned to make a poster to show it off. These are the three posters I designed during the practical session:
fig 2.20 poster designs 1/6/21
Mr. Vinod told me to not ever design something like the middle one, I am still not sure why because honestly I kinda like it hahahah. Furthermore, he suggested me to work on the third poster design but take that lily pad out because it is unnecessary and probably fix the kerning a bit. He said he liked the unique composition here, I do too!
fig 2.21 final poster design 1/6/21
final poster design in pdf
FEEDBACK
Here is the summarize feedback I received from each week.
Week 7:
Today was the introduction to task 3A so no feedback has been given yet.
Week 8: No feedback due to Independent Learning Week.
Get inspired by existing typeface and use as a reference, pay attention to the strokes consistency for each letter form.
Specific Feedback :
It was an interesting typeface that I could continue to work on but some letters are still not following the guide lines correctly.
Week 10:
Unfortunately, I did not receive any feedback regarding my typeface design but I do receive some for my poster design.
General Feedback :
Make the font size as big as possible because our intention is to show the typeface off. Simple designs sometimes caught they eye more.
Specific Feedback :
Week 7:
Today was the introduction to task 3A so no feedback has been given yet.
Week 8: No feedback due to Independent Learning Week.
Week 9:
General Feedback :Get inspired by existing typeface and use as a reference, pay attention to the strokes consistency for each letter form.
Specific Feedback :
It was an interesting typeface that I could continue to work on but some letters are still not following the guide lines correctly.
Week 10:
Unfortunately, I did not receive any feedback regarding my typeface design but I do receive some for my poster design.
General Feedback :
Make the font size as big as possible because our intention is to show the typeface off. Simple designs sometimes caught they eye more.
Specific Feedback :
Do not ever design something like the middle one. Mr. Vinod suggested me to work on the third poster design but take that lily pad out because it is unnecessary and probably fix the kerning a bit. He said he liked the composition here, it is simple yet unique.
Week 11:
Specific Feedback: Glyphs have relative consistency in stroke, crafting, proportions/stroke contrast and is relatively readable and legible.
Week 11:
Specific Feedback: Glyphs have relative consistency in stroke, crafting, proportions/stroke contrast and is relatively readable and legible.
REFLECTION
I have always wanted to create my own typeface design and now I finally got the chance to, turns out it was not easy at all! The most difficult part is probably constructing it, I still struggle a lot using Adobe Illustrator, especially on controlling the pen tool. It was hard to really bring out what we have sketched to digitalizing it, most of the time it does not go as how we expected it would be. Well, reality is often disappointing, isn't it?
Nevertheless, I am pretty happy with my final typeface design as well as the poster design. I realize that the letter form for each is not that neat yet but that is what makes it mine. I have always loved a handwritten typeface, I love when people wrote me a handwritten letter. It just somehow make me feel special. In fact, everyone has different handwritings, it is like a characteristic which owned by no one else but themselves.
Nevertheless, I am pretty happy with my final typeface design as well as the poster design. I realize that the letter form for each is not that neat yet but that is what makes it mine. I have always loved a handwritten typeface, I love when people wrote me a handwritten letter. It just somehow make me feel special. In fact, everyone has different handwritings, it is like a characteristic which owned by no one else but themselves.
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