Typography - Task 3: Type Design and Communication
10/11/25-17/11/25 / Week 8 - Week 13
Janice Cheah Pei Ern / 0376497
Typography / BDCM / Taylor's University
Task 3
LIST / JUMP LINK
LECTURES
INSTRUCTIONS
Task 3: Type Design and Communication
Letter Dissection
Before writing out A-Z, we dissected the letters 'Hogb' from one of the 10
chosen fonts. I decided to go with Serifa Std 55 Roman.
Figure 1.0 'H'
-Same thickness of stems at both sides
-Crossbar connecting both stems
-Has blocky serifs at top and bottom of H
Figure 1.1 'o'
-not fully a circle
-made using overlapping circles to make thickness consistent
-no stress (thickness same)
Figure 1.2 'g'
-has a right ear
-bowl is made using overlapping circles
-bowl cuts into the right stem
-bowl has vertical stress (thicker at left side)
-has link that connects the right stem to the loop of g, resulting
in consistent thickness
Figure 1.3 'b'
-bowl is made using overlapping circles
-bowl cuts into left stem
-bowl has vertical stress (thicker at right side)
-has left ear and left foot connected to stem
Similarities spotted:
- Consistent thickness of stems
- Bowls for g and b are the same
Figure 1.4 Dissection of Hogb PDF
Sketches
For this part of task, we wrote out HOGB & hogb with fonts
inspired by the 10 fonts and mixing with a bit of other similar
fonts to them. My tutor asked me to choose the ones I liked, so
I decided to go with the 3rd and 4th font I have written.
Figure 1.5 Sketch of Font 1, 2 & 3
Figure 1.6 Sketch of Font 4, 5 & 6
Afterwards, I tried writing out the A-Z alphabets and some
punctuations with the 2 chosen fonts.
Digitising letters
For my first attempt in Illustrator, I tried to go with my Font
4.
Figure 1.10 Failed attempt on Font 4
Figure 1.11 Attempt on improving my Font 4
However, it was difficult to keep it consistent and after letting
my tutor checked, I tried to improve on it while also worked on my
Font 3.
Figure 1.12 Font 3 before slanting it using 'Shear'
Figure 1.13 Font 3 font after 'Shear'
In the end, I decided to go with my 3rd font as it was
more consistent with the strokes and my tutor also
agreed on it.
Figure 1.14 & 1.15 Final Type Construction in AI
Figure 1.16 Final Type Construction in AI PDF
Ascender: 626pt
Capline: 558 pt
x-height: 400pt
Descender: -200pt
Creating Font in Fontlab
Afterwards, I uploaded my text into Fontlab, and
adjusted the size and kerning for each letters.
I tried to make the kerning as consistent as possible.
However, some letters together looked too near or too
far so I had to readjust some of the letter.
Figure 1.17 Character Map
Before Kerning
Figure 1.18 Kerning Map (Before Version)
After Kerning
Figure 1.19 Kerning Map (After Version)
Figure 1.20 Kerning Values from A to Z
After exporting our fonts, we are also tasked to use the
font that we have created to make a poster related to
typography.
At first, I played around with the phrase "Feel The Fear
And Do It Anyway" but we should do something related to
typography so I changed to "Feel The Fear And Type It
Anyway" instead. I wanted to do like a dark side and
brighter side at first. However, my tutor mentioned it
will let viewers think of it as a "choosing between two
options" poster instead, which isn't what I am trying to
convey. She also mentioned that I don't have to make my
text size huge because it will make the poster look too
crowded.
Figure 1.21 Drafts of Poster
Figure 1.22 Drafts of Poster after tutor's review
Figure 1.23 Final Poster
Figure 1.24 Final Poster PDF
Final Work Summary
Initial Sketches
Kerning process in Fontlab
Final Type Construction in AI
Final Poster
FEEDBACKS
Week 9:
General Feedback: Chose 2 favourite designs out of the six to consider
for digitizing
Week 10:
General Feedback: Keep the consistency and curve
Specific Feedback: Redo 'PRSW'
Week 11:
General Feedback: 2nd version design is approved, proceed with Fontlab
Week 12:
Specific Feedback: Dividing the colour of the poster into half may lead
viewers to think of it as a "choosing between the two sides" which isn't
what I am trying to convey. Try minimise the text size and play around
with negative space instead of making them fill the page which will make
it look crowded.
REFLECTIONS
Experience
I feel like I really got to practise what I learnt in the
typography lectures relating to letters in this task. I was
struggling at first when it comes to the consistency of letters
which in the end making me having to use a simpler font design that
I have written. Sometimes, things will work out better when using
simpler solutions.
Observations
From this task, I observed that having basic shapes and setting
guides measurement for width of letters at the beginning help to
make the font designing in Illustrator easier.
Findings
Overall, it is important to have a proper set up or mold before
designing something that needs consistency like the fonts in this
exercise. I also learnt that I don't have to make my text big and fill
up the poster, it can be small and simple depending on the content of
the poster.
The Vignelli Canon shares that everything we design must have a meaning and purpose. The design should be a solution to a problem which is why it is a form of responsibility and it requires discipline, appropriateness and timelessness.
Vignelli shares his preference for using limited typefaces such as Helvetica, Bodoni and Garamond as he thinks that too many fonts may create visual noise and confusion when it comes to Typography. He emphasised more on understanding the typefaces rather than fully expressing personal styles.
Vignelli relies on grid systems to show clarity. The grid systems create order and consistency as it is a framework that can guide placement for text, images and space. With it, it will help viewers to understand the necessary information quicker.
Sometimes, existing logos doesn't need a whole new redesign, it may just need some refinements rather than rebranding everything as it is already authentic and timeless. Vignelli also thinks that design shouldn't just be based on current trends, emphasising on timelessness.
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