Typography / Task 3: Type Design & Communication

5/11/2024

5.11.2024 –17 .12.2024 / Week 8 – Week 12

WANG JINYI/ 0374697

Typography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Exercises :Task 3  Type Design & Communication

INSTURCTIONS



Exercise
Typography / Task 3: Type Design & Communication

I was tasked with creating a typeface that embodies elegance and classical charm. The specific letters I needed to design were "o l e d s n c h t i g," along with the symbols ".", "!", and "#".


Research
Before I started sketching, I took some time to explore various fonts for inspiration. I wanted my design to have a touch of sophistication, so I decided to reference Gill Sans. I aimed to create something that felt both classic and refined.


Sketches
I began by sketching several different styles of the letters on graph paper using a 3.0 mm marker. This allowed me to play around with shapes and forms. After completing my initial designs, I shared them with Ms. Vitiyaa for feedback.


(Fig 1.1: Initial Sketches on Graph Paper  (5.11.2024)

After discussing my sketches with Ms. Vitiyaa, I realized I wanted to refine my direction further. Emphasizing elegance and subtlety, I extended my designs based on Gill Sans, incorporating some unique twists of my own.


(Fig 2.1: Extended Designs Inspired by Gill Sans (16.11.2024)

Once I received feedback again, I made some adjustments to certain letters to enhance their visual appeal. This iterative process was crucial in shaping my final design.


FontLab
With my sketches finalized, I moved on to digitizing the typeface. I used FontLab to bring my letters to life, and I decided to name my typeface "Aether."



(Fig 3.1: Digital Process in FontLab (31.11.2024)

After some trial and error in FontLab, I completed the font design. I created a poster as instructed, highlighting its elegant features.

(Fig 4.1: Final Typeface (3.12.2024)

Overall, this assignment was a fantastic learning experience. Not only did I explore different styles and techniques, but I also learned the importance of feedback and iteration in the design process.


FINAL Task 3: Type Design & Communication



(Fig 5.1: FontLab Screenshot (10.12.2024)



(Fig 5.2, Final Task 3A: Type Design and Communication "Aether" JPEG (10.12.2024


(Fig 5.3, Final Task 3A: Type Design and Communication "Aether" PDF (10.12.2024


Fig 5.4: Final Poster JPEG (10.12.2024)

Fig 5.5: Final Poster PDF (10.12.2024)



FEEDBACK

Week 9: 
General Feedback: This week, I received valuable insights into my progress. 
Specific Feedback: Ms. Vitiyaa reviewed my progress on Task 3 and made some inquiries. She provided me with two font options as samples for the next stage based on the derived fonts I designed using 10 fonts. Additionally, she offered other constructive feedback on my current work.

Week10:
General Feedback:This week, Ms. Vitiyaa reviewed my font design progress. Overall, she found it satisfactory and encouraged me to continue my work. Her positive feedback motivated me to keep pushing forward with my project. 
Specific Feedback:During the review of my e-portfolio, Ms. Vitiyaa provided constructive feedback on several aspects that need correction and additional content. She highlighted the importance of ensuring my e-portfolio is more comprehensive and organized, which will enhance its overall presentation. I appreciate her guidance and will make the necessary adjustments to improve my e-portfolio.  

Week 11: 
General Feedback: This week, my discussions with Ms. Vitiyaa helped me understand the importance of font consistency in design. 
Specific Feedback: Ms. Vitiyaa pointed out that my ePortfolio cover layout used too many different fonts, making it look cluttered. She suggested I unify the fonts for a more harmonious appearance. I will revise my choices to improve the overall look. 

Week 12:
General Feedback:During the twelfth week, Ms. Vitiyaa followed up on the progress of my font poster. Her guidance was very helpful and provided me with a clearer understanding of the project's direction. 
Specific Feedback:This week, I showed Ms. Vitiyaa my poster draft. She pointed out that the font sizes and shapes need to be consistent and advised me to avoid unnecessary effects, such as glow. Based on her feedback, I revised the layout and font shapes to ensure a more unified and streamlined design.

Week 13:

General Feedback:This week, Ms. Vitiyaa gave us a comprehensive summary, explaining in detail the final homework requirements before the end of the class. She helped us clarify the focus and timing of our work, so that we had a clearer plan for the next task. 

Specific Feedback:She also checked my font poster and there was nothing wrong with the design.  She reminded me that the sentence on the poster should be related to the theme of "design". Following her advice, I modified the sentence to better fit the theme of the design. 





REFLECTION

Experience

Taking on Task 3, where I had to design my own font based on the tutorial, was definitely a rollercoaster. At times, I felt stuck and frustrated, especially when things didn’t go as planned. Each week, I shared my progress with Ms. Vitiyaa, and while it was tough to hear some of the critiques, her feedback really helped me improve. It was a bit of a struggle, but with each revision, I could see my work slowly coming together, which felt really rewarding.

Observation

Through my conversations with Ms. Vitiyaa, I realized how crucial it is to keep things consistent in design. I noticed that my early drafts looked a bit chaotic because I was using too many different fonts and sizes. Her comments really opened my eyes to how important it is to have a unified look. It made me appreciate the little details that can make a big difference in how a project comes across.

Findings

What stood out to me during this process was the importance of sticking with it, even when things get tough. As I kept revising my designs based on feedback, I started feeling more accomplished as my font evolved. I learned that improvement often comes from trial and error, and being open to change is key. Overall, this task not only helped me sharpen my design skills but also boosted my confidence in my creativity. It’s been a challenging but ultimately fulfilling journey!


FURTHER READING

(Fig 6.1 Typography Basics.pdf)

Computer Typography Basics" provides an interesting insight into the world of digital typography. This volume deals with many topics, such as the various font types, including display, script, text, monospaced, and dingbats. It moreover covers font families and the appropriate font selection, besides the definition and usefulness of font sizes and formatting styles.


(Fig 7.1 Computer Typography Basics)

An important thing I learned from the workshop was the prioritization of using proper typefaces in given contexts. For example, a script font can suggest stylized delicacy, while a monospaced font can portray cleanliness in coding text. This comprehension has led to a more critical viewpoint, whereby I noticed more often the way typography influences the type of mood the audience is left with by the project.


(Fig 7.2 Computer Typography Basics Identifying and Selecting a Font)

On the one side, the exercise on spotting and determining fonts impressed me deeply. It demonstrated to me that typography is not just about aesthetic beauty; it is also about legibility and motion through space. What was amazing for me was how the tiniest of differences in the font could characterize the reading experience.

Indeed, this book has further widened my horizons concerning typography and its importance in communication design. This is a reminder that the precise typeface can turn a simple message into an unforgettable one.





Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Advanced Typography: Final Compilation & Reflection

Advanced Typography: Task 1 Exercises