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24 May 2023 - June 2023, (Week 8 - Week 12)
Christine Tan Yuen Yan, 0344039
Advanced Typography, GCD 61004 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative
Media.
INSTRUCTION
MIB
Task 3 _ Type Exploration and Application
We get to choose our own project for Task 3. We are to either develop a
typeface to answer an issue in our field (Graphic development, UI/UX,
Animation, Entertainment Design, or any other) or investigate the use of
typefaces. The set typeface in its application - any format connected to the
issue being solved or explored: animation, 3D, print, ambient, projection,
movie title or game title, usage of different materials, etc.
1. Research, Ideation and Sketches
Proposal of 3 ideas:
Fig 1.1, Proposal, Week 9, (31.5.2023)
We were told to come up with three concepts for our project based on our
interests or we can also recreate the typefaces from a movie poster. Based
on the feedback, Mr Vinod approved my ideas from #1 to #3, I would be more
interested in idea #2 which design of a typeface that consists of Chinese
elements such as Chinese architecture.
2. References:
Fig 1.2, References from a Chinese Building, Week 10, (7.6.2023)
The inspiration for making a Chinese-inspired typeface came from a
personal love of all things vintage and a profound respect for Chinese
history in general. Chinese calligraphy is beautiful and intricate, and it
has a certain fascination because of its deep cultural significance and
longstanding traditions. Chinese characters' grace and elegance possess a
peculiar appeal that captures the mind and inspires admiration. I intend
to explore the world of Chinese typography in order to honour this rich
historical history and to show my love for the creative works that have
influenced Chinese culture over time.
3. Sketches
Fig 1.3, paper sketches, Week 10, (7.6.2023)
4. Digitalisation
Fig 1.4, a screenshot of the process for the 1st trial. Week
11,(14.6.2023)
Fig 1.5, 1st trial (Digitalization), Week 11,(14.6.2023)
My first attempt at making a font turned out to be a fairly disappointing
endeavour. The font in my initial attempt lacked the aesthetic impact I
had envisioned, leaving much to be desired. It soon became clear that
additional adjustments were required to improve the design and produce the
intended results. I was able to identify the font's flaw and realised how
crucial it was to improve its components in order to make it stronger and
more eye-catching.
5. Modernised Letters
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Fig 1.6, Modernised letter 'M', Week 11 (7.6.2023)
Fig 1.7, Modernised letter 'B', Week 11 (7.6.2023)
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Fig 1.8, Modernised letter 'B', Week 11 (7.6.2023)
A short story of the final outcome:
When I reached the point where I believed my font was satisfactory and
exported it, I encountered an unexpected hurdle. As I utilized AI to
examine the font, I quickly realized that the strokes of each alphabet
were inconsistent. Panic set in as I realized I had not allocated enough
time to thoroughly review my work. Desperate to find a solution, I went
back to scrutinize my font, and that's when I made a crucial discovery:
the strokes of my alphabet were not consistent throughout. This
inconsistency in stroke weight and style resulted in a final outcome
that appeared peculiar and unbalanced. It was a valuable lesson in the
importance of maintaining consistency and paying attention to minute
details during the font creation process.
This experience served as a reminder that designing a font requires
careful planning and dexterity. It made clear how important it is to
carefully consider every element of the design, down to the smallest
elements. To achieve visual harmony, each letter's strokes must be the same
in terms of weight, style, and form. The incident I had served as a
reminder of the need of setting aside enough time for rigorous editing
and quality control because even the smallest irregularity can have a
big impact on the font's overall appearance and legibility. In order to
produce a more refined and expert result, I shall approach font design
going ahead with a fresh sense of prudence, aiming for uniformity and
balance in every stroke.
Font forge
I initially ran into a problem when my Font Lab 8 licence ran out, which made me move to FontForge to continue working on my typeface. However, I found using FontForge to be rather difficult and foreign to me. Despite the challenges, I persevered and was able to add my design to the programme. Unfortunately, I continued getting error messages when I tried to export my work, which made me more frustrated and uneasy.
Screenshot from FontForge
Screenshot from FontForge
I was able to continue working on my homework thanks to my brother's kind loan of his laptop. I was forced to rush to campus on Friday to do my homework because my house's Wi-Fi connection was down owing to the continued rainy weather, which made the situation worse. This event taught me a vital lesson about the value of remaining on top of my work and not procrastinating.
Screenschoot from Fontlab.
But thankfully that everything went smoothly on Fontlab.
Fig 2.1, Screenshot from Fontlab. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 2.2, Screenshot from Fontlab. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 2.3, Screenshot from Fontlab. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 2.4, Screenshot from Fontlab. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Click here to download:
KUNGFU
You may see 'unable to download' or 'unable to preview' however you may
ignore it and continue to download.
Fig 3.1, Uppercase in JPEG. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 3.2, Uppercase in PDF. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Lowercase
Fig 3.3, Lowercase in JPEG. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 3.4, Lowercase in PDF. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Number & Symbol
Fig 3.5, Number & Symbol in JPEG. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 3.6, Number & Symbol in PDF. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Task 3_Applications
I drew inspiration for my colour scheme from the cartoon movie "Kung Fu
Panda," in which the colours red, yellow, black, and white have major
symbolic meaning. These colours have become recognisable representations
of the movie's characters and themes. Red symbolises vigour, boldness, and
passion, representing the protagonist's fiery tenacity. The colour yellow
signifies brightness, happiness, and enthusiasm, reflecting the upbeat and
joyous tone of the movie. Black embodies the qualities of strength, power,
and mystery that characterise the story's terrible foes. Last but not
least, white represents the search for inner harmony and self-discovery
and represents purity, knowledge, and enlightenment. I want to give my
applications a passion and vitality that resonates by adding these colours
into them.
Screenshot from PS:
Fig.4.1, Screenshot from PS. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig.4.2, Screenshot from PS. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig.4.3, Screenshot from PS. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
I feel that the "Kung Fu Panda" theme song, which serves as the album's
fascinating and memorable musical centrepiece, deserves a particular
place. The theme music conveys a sense of adventure, tenacity, and
triumph, just like the movie itself. Its upbeat melodies and
inspirational lyrics capture the journey of the lead character, striking
a deep emotional chord with listeners. The theme song's inclusion on the
disc adds an extra depth of motivation and melancholy, evoking the vibe
of the adored cartoon movie and improving the whole experience for those
who engage with it.
Fig 4.4, Final Applications_Disk. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 4.5, Final Applications_ID card. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 4.6, Final Applications_Mug. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 4.7, Final Applications_Tape. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 4.8,Final Applications_ T-Shirt. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 4.9,Final Applications_ Waterbottle. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 4.10, Final Applications_Notebook. Week 14, (7.7.2023)
Fig 4.11, FInal Applications in PDF Week 14, (7.7.2023)
FEEDBACK
Week 9
Idea #1, it has the expansion to use the font. Has the scope for
growth and not only focuses on the title but also the font.
Idea #2. The idea is okay but Kung Fu Panda's original font gives
a 70s vibe of style which is good but the idea to use a architecture as
reference is good.
Idea #3, Matrix font is good, but my idea of mine is to create a
font that is more suitable for a horror movie.
Week 10
Starting is fine, the size of the letter must be within the space. On the
right path, however, need to experiment with the weight of the thickness
(digitalisation). Lowercase may be difficult. For lowercase use baseline
and below (use 3 cells to do it) Be careful with the baseline and the cap
height that it should be consistent.
Week 11
Too much complexity in the letter B, T, and Y. Letter 'D' kind of look
like 'P' (need to change). Maintain some consistency. The thickness of the
strokes needs to be more thicker. Need to have an impactful typeface by
changing the thickness of the strokes as the thinner the strokes is it
will expose the weakness of the typefaces.
Week 12
No Feedback due to absence.
Week 13
No feedback due to no class.
REFLECTION
For me, learning about advanced typography has been an exciting
experience. In contrast to conventional typography, this advanced form
allows more freedom and less constraints, enabling me to create according
to my personal preferences. I now feel more creatively free to experiment
with different styles, layouts, and compositions than I did in the past.
Observing how my design decisions can influence the overall visual impact
and improve the message being communicated has been encouraging. For me,
learning advanced typography has opened up a world of opportunities,
allowing me to convey my creative vision in fresh and alluring ways.
While Advanced Typography has offered me more flexibility, I have come to
realize that the struggle to create exceptional fonts still remains. This
task has served as a valuable learning experience, deepening my
understanding of fonts and their intricacies. Throughout the process, I
have recognized my weaknesses in translating my ideas into a cohesive and
compelling font design. While my ideas may not be lacking, I have found
the output to be somewhat disappointing. This realization has motivated me
to further refine my skills and expand my knowledge in order to achieve
the level of mastery I desire.
I now see that typing is not a simple process or profession. It calls for
the difficult skill of being able to express concepts through the shape of
an alphabet and font. Careful consideration and close attention to detail
are required while choosing and arranging letterforms, taking into account
their spacing, and assuring readability. It is essential to select the
appropriate typeface for the desired message because each typeface has a
unique personality and conveys a particular tone or mood. Typography is a
craft that calls for both in-depth knowledge of aesthetics and technical
proficiency. Knowing that the creativity and power of expertly crafted
typography can genuinely elevate any design, it is a challenge that I am
willing to accept.
FURTHER READING
The Anatomy of Type: A Graphic Guide to 100 Typefaces
I gained an understanding of how to differentiate between related
typefaces and how the characteristics of letterforms (such as contrast,
detail, and proportion) impact each typeface's mood, readability, and use
through visual representations and hands-on explanations.
Even the most geometric designs undergo adjustments to maintain counters,
maintain a general sense of glyph balance, and enable fonts to work across
a wider range of sizes. The larger bowls (P), lower crossbars (A), wider
forms, and increased contrast (difference between thin and thick strokes)
are a few instances of these improvements. Even Platform, with its
purposefully outlandish proportions, has been modified.
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