TYPOGRAPHY - Task 3 : Type Design & Communication

November 18, 2024

TYPOGRAPHY - Task 3 : Type Design & Communication

✩ 11/11/24 - 22/12/24 (Week 8 - Week 13)

✩ WONG MEI YEE 0367857

✩ Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

✩ Task 3 - Type Design & Communication

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Instructions
Task 3
Feedback
Reflections
Further Reading

Instructions

Task 3

Research

Before starting my sketches, I explored a variety of fonts to gather inspiration. I didn't have a clear direction initially, so I took the time to study different font styles and characteristics to spark ideas.

Figure 2.1, Researches (Week 8, 12/11/2024).

We are asked to select a preferred font from the 10 fonts provided and do a detailed dissection for the letters H, o, g, and b. I chose the font Univers Lt Std to do my detailed dissection of the letters.

Figure 2.2, Dissection of Letters (Week 8, 12/11/2024).

For the letter H, the vertical strokes are consistent in weight, with no noticeable variation. The horizontal bar connecting the two stems is positioned symmetrically, maintaining uniformity in its thickness relative to the stems. The overall structure creates a strong, geometric appearance.

The letter o features a near-perfect circular form but reveals subtle imperfections upon closer inspection. The counter within the letter is slightly compressed vertically, forming an elliptical shape. The stroke thickness is uniform around the curve, maintaining balance and clarity.

The letter g showcases a complex design consisting of multiple overlapping circular forms. The ear is formed from a blend of two curved components, harmonizing with the overall character design. The link connecting the loop and the counter is slender and smooth, emphasizing the loop's prominence. The loop itself is more oval than circular, created through a combination of circular and elliptical shapes.

The letter b is characterized by its straight ascender and a rounded bowl. The bowl is not a perfect circle; instead, it combines straight edges and elliptical curves. The connection between the bowl and the stem is seamless, with no visible spur. This smooth transition reinforces the minimalist and clean aesthetic of Univers Lt Std.

To begin, I sketched the letters HOGB & hogb in both uppercase and lowercase using three different pens. For each pen, I explored at least three distinct writing styles, focusing on how the pen's unique characteristics influenced the overall look of the letters. I ensured that each letter was written naturally rather than drawn, allowing the flow and texture of the pens to shape the style organically.

Figure 2.3, Sketches (Week 8, 12/11/2024).

Digitalisation

I started the design process by using the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator to create key elements like the diamond shape and the letter "e." This step allowed me to establish a foundation for the font by focusing on crafting intricate and precise shapes with smooth curves and clean angles.
Figure 2.4, Digitising (Week 8, 13/11/2024).
Afterward, I moved on to combining simple geometric shapes, such as rectangles and rounded rectangles, to construct the remaining letterforms. These shapes were adjusted and merged to ensure consistency across the font while complementing the previously created elements.

Figure 2.5, Digitising (Week 8, 13/11/2024).
Finally, I've completed the design. It brings together all the letters, punctuation marks, and stylistic features. The recurring use of the diamond motif and the harmonious blend of geometric shapes result in a cohesive and visually striking typeface.

Figure 2.6, Typeface Outcome (Week 8, 13/11/2024).
Fontlab

I proceeded to the next step of working with my font, My Boldnova Heavy, by importing it into FontLab. I started by setting up the measurements and guides for my characters, focusing particularly on letters like e, d, s, c, and g. After importing the font, I aligned it to match the intended height and adjusted its proportions. The process went relatively smoothly, and I didn’t encounter significant issues at this stage. I fine-tuned the left and right sidebearings using guidelines and references, ensuring consistent spacing. Although I relied on visual judgment for spacing, I occasionally second-guessed whether my adjustments were entirely accurate. Overall, the transition to FontLab has been a learning experience.

Figure 2.7, Fontlab Process (Week 9, 19/11/2024).

Poster

Before starting my poster, I conducted research on Pinterest to gather inspiration for typography posters.

Figure 2.8, Researches (Week 10, 26/11/2024).

For the sentence and phrase, we were required to use all the alphabets we designed. I brainstormed ideas with ChatGPT. I finalized my phrase: #design cool things...!

Figure 2.9, Posters Design Process (Week 10, 26/11/2024).
I began by typing out my phrase along with my name, the year, and the font name (Univers Ltd Std 8pt). I created three design variations, starting with a white background for exploration. Among the three, my favorite was the third design, so I decided to proceed with it for my final submission.

Final Task 3: Type Design & Communication

Download the font here : MyBoldNova Heavy

Figure 2.10, Screen Grab of FontLab process (side-bearings) (Week 12, 11/12/2024).

Figure 2.11, Final Type construction in Ai JPEG (Week 12, 11/12/2024).

Figure 2.12,Final Type construction in Ai PNG (Week 12, 11/12/2024).

Figure 2.13, Final JPEG A4 white poster (Week 12, 11/12/2024).

Figure 2.14, Final PNG A4 white poster(Week 12, 11/12/2024).

Figure 2.15, Final JPEG A4 black poster (Week 12, 11/12/2024).

Figure 2.16,Final PNG A4 white poster (Week 12, 11/12/2024).

Feedback

ꕤ WEEK 8

↳ Independent Learning Week.

ꕤ WEEK 9

↳ Absent.

ꕤ WEEK 10

↳ General Feedback

This week, Ms. Vitiyaa provided additional feedback on our e-Portfolio and encouraged us to keep refining our work.

↳ Specific Feedback

Ms. Vitiyaa approved my fourth design, noting that the other designs were too simple, while the fourth design had more style and a stronger character.

ꕤ WEEK 11

↳ Absent.

ꕤ WEEK 12

↳ Specific Feedback

Ms. Vitiyaa explained that I need to use the Pen Tool in Illustrator to create the font because, without it, I wouldn’t be able to use the Pathfinder tool properly to merge my shapes into a single, unified vector.

ꕤ WEEK 13

↳ General Feedback

The deadline for submitting the work is December 22nd.

↳ Specific Feedback

Ms. Vitiyaa pointed out that the sentence on my poster is too short and needs revision. She also emphasized that the revised sentence should be more detailed and closely tied to the theme of design.

Reflections

Experience

As a first-year student, exploring typography through this assignment has been an exciting and enriching journey. Designing my own font and applying it to a poster gave me a hands-on opportunity to merge technical and creative skills. Using tools like FontLab to create my custom typeface and Illustrator to design the poster allowed me to understand the intricacies of type creation and application. It was fascinating to see how my font evolved from its initial concept to a polished design that became the centerpiece of my poster. The process challenged me to think critically about form, balance, and functionality while allowing me to express creativity. With feedback from Ms. Vitiyaa and discussions with my peers, I refined my ideas and gained the confidence to execute a design that reflects my style and intent.

Observations

Throughout this project, I was inspired by the unique and diverse approaches my peers brought to their designs. During discussions and critiques, it was clear that everyone had their own interpretation of how to showcase their custom fonts. Some opted for bold and dynamic layouts, while others embraced minimalistic or experimental styles. These different perspectives highlighted the endless creative possibilities in typography design. Observing how others played with alignment, contrast, and hierarchy gave me new insights into how typography can be used to emphasize meaning and draw attention to specific elements. This exposure encouraged me to take creative risks with my poster design, leading me to experiment with dynamic layouts and unconventional alignments to make my work stand out.

Findings

This project taught me that typography is not just about designing letters—it’s about creating a visual story that evokes emotion and meaning. Developing my phrase, "#design cool things...!" and integrating my custom font into the poster helped me appreciate the importance of weight, spacing, and alignment in achieving an impactful composition. I learned that even small adjustments, such as the spacing of letters or the placement of elements, could drastically enhance the overall design. Additionally, the iterative process of refining my font in FontLab and experimenting with layouts in Illustrator underscored the importance of patience and precision. This assignment not only sharpened my technical skills but also deepened my appreciation for typography as a powerful tool for communication.

Week 8: Establishing Consistency with Grids

Figure 5.2, TypographyBasics pg18.

This week, I focused on "Leading and Baseline Grid" (p.18). The section reinforced the importance of aligning text across columns for a structured design. Understanding how to lock paragraphs to a baseline grid gave me more control over multi-column layouts and ensured consistent visual flow in complex projects.

Week 9: Refining Alignment Techniques

Figure 5.3, TypographyBasics pg19.

I revisited "Paragraph Alignment" and "Tabs" (p.19, p.22). This time, I delved deeper into aligning text using tab settings for precision. The techniques for creating custom alignment, such as decimal and user-defined tabs, were particularly helpful for developing professional tables and lists.

Week 10: Managing Hierarchy with Rules and Spacing

Figure 5.4, TypographyBasics pg21.

This week, I studied "Paragraph Rules" (p.21) and revisited "Paragraph Spacing for Subheads" (p.20). These sections demonstrated how to use inline rules to emphasize subheads and separate text elements effectively. By combining these with spacing adjustments, I began experimenting with typographic hierarchy to guide the reader's attention.

Week 11: Typography for Special Purposes
Figure 5.5, TypographyBasics pg14.

I read "Special Glyphs (Characters)" (p.14) and "Typographer Quotes and Inch Marks" (p.28). This week focused on the use of special characters, ligatures, and proper formatting for quotes and measurements. These nuances added polish to my designs and ensured accuracy in professional documents.

Week 12: Mastering Style Creation

Figure 5.6, TypographyBasics pg.30.

This week, I studied "Formatting Styles" (p.30-36), which covered creating and managing styles in desktop publishing programs like InDesign. Learning to apply consistent font, size, and spacing settings through styles streamlined my workflow and improved the efficiency of my design process.

Week 13: Choosing the Right Fonts

Figure 5.7, TypographyBasics pg.8.

I returned to "Identifying and Selecting a Font" (p.8) to deepen my understanding of how font choice affects readability and aesthetics. I analyzed factors like x-height, ascenders, and descenders to refine my ability to select fonts that align with specific design goals.

Week 14: Synthesizing Knowledge

For my final week, I reviewed the entire book, revisiting key sections to consolidate my understanding of typography fundamentals and advanced techniques. I focused on applying what I learned in a cohesive project to demonstrate my growth over the study period.

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Wong Mei Yee ⁠˶•⩊•˶