Typography Task 3: Type Design and Communication

 09/24/2024 - 10/29/2024 (Week 9 - Week 13)

ZHANG TIANYAO(0376838)

Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Task3

LIST

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3.Task 1 : Exercises

4. Feedback

5. Reflections

6. Further Reading

Lectures

  Week 10:

Fig 1.1

The shape of the period is related to the dot on the i, but should be slightly larger.

Heavier fonts require heavier punctuation.

Fig 1.2

The shape of the period is related to the dot on the i, but should be slightly larger.

Heavier fonts require heavier punctuation.

Fig 1.3

Stylistic options of comma

1 round

2 drop-shaped

3 sharp 

4 squarish

5 bent

6 diagonal

Fig 1.4

The colon and semicolon are stacked punctuation marks. A period at the x-height and a period or comma on the baseline.

INSTRUCTIONS

Week 9

                                                                                  Fig 2.1 draft

I designed six fonts but the only one that satisfied me was the last one in the top left corner.

Fig 2.2 final

Through continuous adjustments and modifications, along with Ms. Vitiyaa’s guidance, I finalized the design.

Fig 2.2 final Design a font

Fig 2.3 final Design a font

Finally, my designed font can be found in the search bar.

Fig 2.3 poster

This is the final poster I created using my own font, which represents a sentence about design.

FEEDBACK

Week 8

Specific Feedback: This week is a self-study week, and no classes were held.

General Feedback: This week is a self-study week, and no classes were held.

Week 9

Specific Feedback: This week, I continued designing the letters and punctuation (o, l, e, d, s, n, c, h, t, i, g, , . ! #) and attempted to digitize them. With Ms. Vitiyaa’s one-by-one guidance, we successfully completed the digitization process, despite encountering many challenges along the way.

General Feedback: One should not attempt to steal the labor of others; only by creating something original can one feel at peace with oneself.

Week 10

Specific Feedback: This week, we continued to update and refine font digitization, focusing on designing punctuation marks ( , . ! #). Through video tutorials and one-on-one guidance, we quickly completed all the fonts.

General Feedback: All designed fonts must have a highest point, a center point, and a lowest point, ensuring consistent and regular font sizing throughout.

Week 11

Specific Feedback: This week, we began using FontLab to copy and import the fonts into the software. After making detailed adjustments, we exported them to the font library. Once installed, the fonts can be used directly in Adobe Illustrator.

General Feedback: It is important to pay attention to the format of the copied fonts, their placement, size, and spacing.

Week 12

Specific Feedback: This week’s task is to create a sentence related to design using the font we designed and turn it into a poster. We will use the typography knowledge and imagination we’ve learned before to design this poster. After Ms. Vitiyaa checked and guided us, we gained a deeper understanding of the significance of typography.

General Feedback: A font poster requires patience and a creative mindset.

REFLECTIONS

Experience: 

During this period of study, I gained an in-depth understanding of the process of font design and creating font posters. By designing my own fonts, I learned how to infuse uniqueness and personality into the letters, rather than merely copying existing styles. I realized that font design is not just about changes in form, but also about a deep understanding and expression of the essence of the letters.

When creating font posters, I learned how to combine typography knowledge with creativity, skillfully blending the content and form of the text. Each letter’s design and arrangement requires patience and careful thought to ensure they not only convey information visually but also capture the audience’s interest. I also discovered that font posters are not just tools for conveying information; they are carriers of emotion and atmosphere.

Through these lessons, I came to understand the significance of font design—it is not just an artistic creation but a bridge of communication between the designer and the audience. This experience has strengthened my interest and passion for the field of font design.

Observations: 

During this period of study, I observed that the process of font design and creating font posters is far more complex than I had imagined. Each font design requires precise attention to detail, from the proportions and spacing of the letters to the direction of the curves. Every element must be repeatedly adjusted and refined. I discovered that fonts are not just carriers of text; they have their own personalities and emotions, which can convey different messages through various designs.

When creating font posters, I observed the close relationship between typography and design. The position, size, and color of each letter affect the overall outcome. Finding the right balance between these elements, ensuring that the focus is highlighted while maintaining visual appeal, became a challenge I had to think through repeatedly. I also found that the design of font posters needs to create a sense of rhythm visually, using contrast and arrangement between the letters to attract the viewer’s attention.

Through these observations, I gradually realized that font design is not just a technical task but also an artistic expression. It requires the designer to find the right balance between aesthetics and functionality, while also using thoughtful consideration and creativity to bring each piece to life with its own uniqueness.

Findings:

When creating font posters, I realized that typography skills are crucial. The position, size, and spacing of each letter directly determine the overall visual effect of the poster. How to skillfully combine the text content with the visual effect through typography is an ongoing challenge I need to explore. I realized that typography is not just about aesthetics; it also silently conveys information and emotions, resonating with the audience.

These discoveries have deepened my appreciation for the complexity and artistry of font design and have made me even more passionate about the field. Font design is not just about creating letters; it is a process filled with creativity and imagination, where every detail tells a story.

FUTHER READING

Fig 3.1

A Real-world Guide to Building Pages in Graphic Design offers a practical and insightful approach to designing effective pages for various media. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamentals of layout, typography, and visual hierarchy in creating visually appealing and functional designs. What stands out is how it connects theory with real-world applications, showing how these design principles are used in everyday projects, from advertisements to websites.

The author’s focus on the creative process and problem-solving techniques is particularly valuable, helping readers move beyond mere aesthetic choices to make design decisions that serve both artistic and communicative goals. I appreciated the step-by-step approach, which makes the book accessible to both beginners and more experienced designers. Overall, this book reinforced my understanding of page composition and inspired me to think more critically about how I approach my own design work.