Advanced Typography | Task 3 : Type Exploration and Application

10/06/2024 - 15/07/2024 (Week 8 - Week 13)
Yong Xiao Tong / 0368290
Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media 
Task 3: Type Exploration and Application

Lectures

All lectures from 1 to 5 are documented in Task 1

Instructions


Task 3: Type Exploration and Application

Fig 1.1 Proposal

I want to make space-style typefaces. Sir mentioned that this font exists, but I can still improve it, such as by making it bold. I checked on MyFonts and found several similar fonts, but I couldn't find one exactly like the Disney Space Mountain font. Additionally, this type of font appears not to have lowercase letters. When I clicked on some of the fonts to check for lowercase letters, I found that the lowercase letters were actually the same as the uppercase ones. So my task is to improve the uppercase letters and then create lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation. 

First, I make the letters bold.

Fig 1.2 Uppercase letters comparison before & after

Then, I adjust some letters to improve their appearance.

  
  
Fig 1.3 Process of improving some letters

I ensure that all the letters are the same size.

 
Fig 1.4 Process of size adjustment 

Fig 1.5 Progress

After completed the uppercase letters, I continue working on the lowercase letters. I googled some space-style fonts and decided to use the "Mons Olympia" font as a reference for creating the lowercase letters.

Fig 1.6 Progression of lowercase 

Next, I work on the numbers.

Fig 1.7 Progression of numbers

Lastly, the punctuation marks.

Fig 1.8 Progression of punctuation marks

After completed all the letters, I start pasting them into Fontlab.

Fig 1.9 Fontlab

Although the font is inspired by Disney's Space Mountain, I decided to name it "Lightyear" instead of "Space Mountain" because I designed all the lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation marks myself, so I want to give it a new name. I chose the name "Lightyear" because it has a sense of futuristic space and galaxy, and the letter "A" reminds me of a rocket or spaceship.

Fig 1.10 All the letters

Fig 1.11 Kerning

Finally, I start designing the poster. To give the poster a galaxy space feel, I decided to use colours like light grey, blue, and purple, and also add a grainy texture.

Fig 1.12 Progression of font presentations

Fig 1.13 Font applications before and after


Final Submission


Font Presentations

Fig 2.1 Final Font Presentation 1 - JPG (15/07/24)

Fig 2.2 Final Font Presentation 2 - JPG (15/07/24)

Fig 2.3 Final Font Presentation 3 - JPG (15/07/24)

Fig 2.4 Final Font Presentation 4 - JPG (15/07/24)

Fig 2.5 Final Font Presentation 5 - JPG (15/07/24)

Fig 2.6 Final Font Presentations - PDF (15/07/24)

Font Applications

Fig 2.7 Final Font Application 1 - JPG (22/07/24)

Fig 2.8 Final Font Application 2 - JPG (22/07/24)

Fig 2.9 Final Font Application 3 - JPG (22/07/24)

Fig 2.10 Final Font Application 4 - JPG (23/07/24)

Fig 2.11 Final Font Application 5 - JPG (23/07/24)

Fig 2.12 Final Font Applications - PDF (23/07/24)


Feedback

Week 9
(Public Holiday)

Week 10
General Feedback: Online class (no given)

Week 11
Specific Feedback: Looks good

Week 12
(Public Holiday)

Week 13/14
(Absent)


Reflection

Experience
This task provided ample creative freedom, allowing us to design any font style we desired. With no limitations, I spent considerable time exploring various font styles. Initially, I struggled to decide on a style, but ultimately chose to design a space-themed font. The design process went smoothly, including the work in FontLab.

Observations 
What required significant time was creating the type presentations and type applications posters. I needed to think critically about how to showcase my font in a good layout, what text to write, and which colours to use. After deciding on a colour palette of light grey, blue, and purple for the type presentations, the challenge shifted to the type applications. Finding images that complemented these colours took a lot of time, and selecting 5 suitable images proved difficult.

Findings
This is the first time I failed to submit my work on time. Despite the time management challenges, the experience was incredibly valuable. It pushed me to enhance my creativity and problem-solving skills, especially in terms of visual design and layout. 

Further Reading

Computer Typography Basic - I.d.e.a.s by David Creamer

Fig 3.1 Computer Typography Basic - I.d.e.a.s

I chose to read this book because it is the last book I haven't read from the six provided books. This book explores the fundamental principles and practical applications of typography in the digital age, specifically in the context of computer-based design. It covers a wide range of subjects, including the practical aspects of using type in digital design. This book also explains type components such as serifs, ascenders, descenders, and x-height. I actually think this book would have been better to read during last year's course.

p.s. I also found some ideas from this book's cover design that helped with my Task 3.




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