wendy seto (0348805): Advanced Typography: Task 3 - Type Exploration & Application

GCD61004 Advanced Typography 17.10.2021 - 21.11.2021 (Week 9 - Week 13)
Wendy Seto / 0348805
GCD61004 Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 3: Type Exploration & Application

INSTRUCTIONS

PRACTICAL

Task 3: Type Exploration & Application

3.1 Type Exploration

For our final project of this module, we were assigned to develop a typeface that can work as a solution. I came up with this idea of creating something that can represent my hometown, something that is more cultural. I am aiming to help preserving batik nusantara in this modern era through modern solution. Below is my proposal.

fig 3.1.1 typeface proposal.pdf 24/10/21

After consulting with Mr. Vinod, I decided to go with my second idea. This typeface is inspired by the patterns of Batik Parang from Solo.

fig 3.1.2 batik parang

fig 3.1.3 forming the letter A 24/10/21

fig 3.1.4 forming 6 letters for proposal 24/10/21

fig 3.1.5 the other 2 typefaces I created inspired from other batik motifs 24/10/21

fig 3.1.5 forming all 26 alphabets 31/10/21

As you can see here I am struggling on creating the letter B, D, G and N. After showing it to Mr. Vinod in week 11 class, he gave me some advices how I could improve those letters. He also thinks the T needs some fix. Mr. Vinod told me to use the grids in Adobe Illustrator to maintain the letters width and height consistency.

fig 3.1.6 revising my letterforms with grids 7/11/21

Other than B, D, G, N and T, I ended up fixing my letter L as well as I do not think the previous one is good enough.

fig 3.1.7 letters after revision #1 7/11/21

I am still not satisfied with my letter D and N but Mr. Vinod said that the letter N is fine. For the D, he suggests me to do it like how I did the L.

fig 3.1.8 letters after revision #2 14/11/21

I did exactly like what Mr. Vinod told me to and look I can finally form the letter D! I happened to fix the Z as well as I assume it was quite crowded and forced before.

Here is some of my letter developments that I was struggling with.

fig 3.1.9 letter "B"

fig 3.1.10 letter "D"

fig 3.1.11 letter "G"

fig 3.1.12 letter "L"

fig 3.1.13 letter "N"

fig 3.1.14 letter "T"

fig 3.1.15 letter "Z"

I then paste my letterforms in FontLab7, well I changed my laptops date back to June so I can still use the trial version hahahahah. It has been a while since I first and last used this software last semester so I literally have no idea on how to use it anymore. Luckily there is a recorded lecture from Mr. Vinod about FontLab demo that he has prepared in the lecture playlist so I am able to generate my font without any problem.

fig 3.1.16 generating typeface in fontlab 14/11/21

fig 3.1.17 preview 14/11/21

fig 3.1.18 parang typeface final 14/11/21

fig 3.1.19 parang typeface final.pdf 14/11/21

Click here to install Parang typeface.

3.2 Type Application

Here are the collaterals I created, the first one is an art exhibition poster. Art is all I can think of when I first see the final outcome of this typeface. It is a very simple poster but I personally like it a lot.

fig 3.2.1 poster mock up using parang typeface 14/11/21

fig 3.2.2 poster mock up using parang typeface 14/11/21

I am so happy with the result of these mock ups but not really sure if these are considered as collaterals? As my initial intention is to help preserving batik in today's era, I was thinking about involving batik more in our daily activities. For instance, in public signs and governments.

fig 3.2.3 parking sign mock up 14/11/21

fig 3.2.4 governments stamp mock up 14/11/21

As what I am concerned about, Mr. Vinod said that I have to use an appropriate subject to showcase the typeface and use more effort. I think the reason it looked so effortless is because I stayed up all night doing 3 assignments and just manage to did the collaterals 1 hour before class :') Luckily, Mr. Vinod me another week to make an improvement for my submission.

This time, I tried so hard to design something using my typeface during day time and I literally cannot think of anything. I guess my brain only work well very late at night and it even better with the last-minute-pressure. Kinda having a love and hate relationship with that fact though.

Here is a bit about my designs. The graphical element that looks like a cloud is taken from Batik Megamendung from Cirebon, West Java.

fig 3.2.5 batik megamendung

In the middle of the designing process, I came up with "THE BATIK" as the brand name. I am thinking that this brand could sell products that use batik as their unique characteristic, from the traditional batik cloth itself to the application of batik motifs in something more modern. Mr. Vinod advised me to use this typeface to sell something related to batik so I think this is perfect!

fig 3.2.6 "THE BATIK" design 21/11/21

I made 4 mock ups and my favourite one is this t-shirt. It looks so cool somehow like it follows the trend for hypebeast clothing brands. I feel like I can actually sell this, even myself would wear it!