Advanced Typography / Task 3 Type Exploration and Application

Week 9 - Week 13 (17/06/25 - 15/07/25)
Felice Jolin (0373636)
Advanced Typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 3 Type Exploration and Application

TABLE OF CONTENT

Lectures

Instructions

Task 3 - Type Exploration and Application

LECTURES

Click here to see previous lectures

INSTRUCTIONS

Module Information Booklet

TASK 3 - TYPE EXPLORATION AND APPLICATION

Proposal

We were assigned to create a font based on one of three given directions:

Designing a typeface that contributes to solve a broader issue
Exploring existing letterforms within a specific field of interest
Creating an experimental typographic design

Fig 1.1 Proposal presentation (Week 8, 10/06/25)

After presenting on week 9, I decided to chose the first idea, to continue the letterforms I've made on Typography Task 3 back in semester 1.

Fig 1.2 Typography Task 3 Font (Week 8, 10/06/25)

Sketches

Below is the initial sketch from previous Typography Semester 1 Task 3. Instead of using curved edges, Mr.Vinod suggested me to make it into straight edges.

Fig 1.3 Typography Task 3 Font (Week 8, 10/06/25)

I tried the straight edges for some letters. I feel that it looks more tidy and clean. Mr.Vinod also agree to proceed with the straight edges.

Fig 1.4 Typography Task 3 Font modification (Week 8, 10/06/25)

Moving on, I did the sketch for the new letterform version. Below are the alphabets in upper and lowercase with different variations for some letters.

Fig 1.5 New sketch (Week 8, 10/06/25)

Digitisation

Uppercase

I began doing work in Illustrator with artboard width 1500px and 500px x-height.

Fig 1.6 Curve shape development (Week 9, 17/06/25)

I enable grid to ease my work. First, I need to make the key curved shape. I used circles and measure the width to be the same as the straigh lines. Then using shape builder to get the curve shape. Here I already get the basic shape to be applied for the letters.

Fig 1.7 Uppercase process (Week 9, 17/06/25)

A and B was a smooth work. Moving on to C it was quite challenging as using the basic curve shape doesn't fit the grid. I tried to modify it but still mantain the similar width as the original curve. After getting the structure for C, I could apply it for D and E.

I've got 2 options for F, however I rather feel the right side one is not clear and firm, I decided to go witht he left one.

For letter G, I have some variations. For vaariant #1 and #2, the strokes were produced from cutting part of the curved shape. While variant #3 use the letter C. I decided to go with variant #3 as it looks simple yet impactful.

As for letter I and T the top stroke were taken from the curve shape, however cut the ecess below to ensure fit in grid above x-height.

Moving on to letter J, most of the variant feels so weird and odd to me, I tried several ways and decided to go with design #2 with a more clean and modern look.

I continue the other letters, letter M is the same as N just double the width. While K, L, O, P, Q, R, and S occupies the original curve shape.

Designing letter U, I used the curve shape as the base and modified it from there to minimize it fiting the grid.

Letter V and W is the same just that W is double the width of V, the basic shape here were using the curved stroke and extend the straight part.

The letter Q development, for the finishing, I made a gap by using half the stroke size.

For letters X, Y, and Z, I utilize the basic curve shape and alter the angle to form the letters. The top part of X and Y is smae as the one I use to develop letter V ad W.

Fig 1.8 Uppercase draft #1 (Week 9, 17/06/25)

Lowercase

I made 2 choice for lowercase with difference x-height. However the width I maintain it from the uppercase. The curve stroke was taken from the uppercase.

Fig 1.9 Lowercase progress (Week 9, 17/06/25)

Above is with 500px x-height while below is 600px x-heigth.

Fig 1.10 Lowercase draft #1 (Week 9, 17/06/25)

Punctuations

Fig 1.11 Punctuation process (Week 9, 17/06/25)

Fig 1.12 Punctuation draft #1 (Week 9, 17/06/25)

I start with the period. I cut the part from the curve stroke to get this. Afterward, I designt the coma.

Moving on I desgin the round and square bracket. The round bracket was developed from base structure of letter U. For the square bracket, it was using straight stroke with the basic curve stroke.

The question mark horizontal stroke was token from letter Z however the top stroke was made curve. The hastag was developed from the basec curves and stright strokes.

Numbers

For numbers I maintain the height and width like Uppercase. For number 3 and 8 I explore with 2 different variants.

Fig 1.13 Numbers draft #1 (Week 10, 24/06/25)

Week 11 on class, Mr.Vinod reminded us that artboard size should be 1000px so later on the is a good amount of space when the letters are typed into paragraph. I just remember that my artboard size is 15000px. I needed to repeat the entire thing. Mr.Vinod also mentioned that m punctuation size looks weird. I need to make reference an existing font when designing.

Second Attempt

Uppercase

First, I resize the artboard into 1000px. Then I copy the draft #1 Uppercase and make the overall size smaller. I make sure there is plenty space above and below for ascender and descender.

Fig 2.1 Uppercase process (Week 11, 01/07/25)

Fig 2.2 Uppercase (Week 11, 01/07/25)

Lowercase

The lowercase from draft #1 is as below. The sizing looks quite weird, the lowercase seems to be quite short and not proportional.

Fig 2.3 Lowercase draft #1 testing (Week 11, 01/07/25)

I decided to change the x-height. With this, I got new size of x-height of 431,9168 px. for the curved stroke, I made new one with the new x-height. The width is the same as uppercase.

Fig 2.4 Curve shape process (Week 11, 01/07/25)

In addition, I also use Franklin Gothic Heavy font as the size reference.

Fig 2.5Lowercase process (Week 11, 01/07/25)

Fig 2.6 Lowercase (Week 11, 01/07/25)

Numbers
For numbers I also used reference from Myriad Pro font. The size were all same height and width as cap height.

Fig 2.7 Numbers process (Week 11, 01/07/25)

Fig 2.8 Numbers (Week 11, 01/07/25)

Punctuation

Fig 2.9 Punctuation progress (Week 11, 03/07/25)

I start with period. I used the square from letter i and enlarge the size a little. Moving on, the coma was designed based on 2 period height. For asterisk, I developed it from letter x, rotate and shape builder.

Fig 2.10 Punctuation progress (Week 11, 03/07/25)

The question mark was modified from number 7. While rounded bracket are developed from letter c. Square bracket is using straight stroke plus the sliced curved shape from the uppercase. Quatation mark is from the coma. I was struggling the most working on and symbol. I used number 8 as the base and alter from there.

Fig 2.12 Punctuation (Week 11, 03/07/25)

FINAL FONT DESIGN

Fig 2.13 Font outline (Week 11, 04/07/25)

Fig 2.14 Font Final (Week 11, 04/07/25)

Font Forge

I used Fontforge to import my letterform and do the kerning. First of all, I used asset export in Illustrator, export it in a svg formart.

Fig 3.1 Asset Export (Week 11, 04/07/25)

Afterward, I export one by one into FontForge. Some of them were not sitting on the baseline, I need to move it.

Fig 3.2 Import files on FontForge (Week 11, 04/07/25)

Fig 3.3 Imported files on FontForge (Week 11, 04/07/25)

Kerning

After importing and tidying up all the letters, I began kerning. I began by folowing the rules below given by Mr.Vinod. However, there were slight changes made during the progress expecially for letter f, g, s and t for both upper and lowercase because the letters were not straight for the left and right part. So adjusment were needed there.

Fig 3.4 Kerning rules (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Fig 3.5 Uppercase kerning (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Fig 3.6 Lowercase kerning (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Fig 3.7 Punctuation kerning (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Fig 3.8 Number kerning (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Moving on, I generate the font and download it to be used for font presentation and application.

Click here to download font

Fig 3.8 Install font (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Font Presentation

Before designing the font presentation, I look up for color palette in Adobe Color.

Fig 4.1 Uppercase kerning (Week 11, 05/07/25)

I aim to have galaxy theme and inspired by wave and aurora lights. I began to design the background first. I did in Illustrator, using brush and liquify effect.

Fig 4.2 Background edit (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Fig 4.3 Background edit (Week 11, 05/07/25)

I made some other design for variations.

Fig 4.4 Background edit (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Draft #1

Below is the first draft for the font presentation.

Fig 4.5 Background edit (Week 11, 05/07/25)

Looking at it, feels something like missing about the galaxy. I decided to add the stars texture on the background in photoshop.

Fig 4.6 Background edit (Week 11, 06/07/25)

Fig 4.7 Background edit (Week 11, 06/07/25)

Mr.Vinod commented on the first draft, it's good to have small and big size of text, however, I should enlarge some of them that looks very tiny as I should highlight my font.

Draft #2

Before on draft #1, I used all my own font. However, now I blend with Arial font for some text. I enlarge the tiny text and did some more explorations for the design. For some of the headings I use the effect outer glow to highligh and enhance spark

Fig 4.8 Exploration (Week 12, 08/07/25)

FINAL FONT PRESENTATION

Fig 4.9 Font presentation 1 (Week 12, 08/07/25)

Fig 4.10 Font presentation 2 (Week 12, 08/07/25)

Fig 4.11 Font presentation 3 (Week 12, 08/07/25)

Fig 4.12 Font presentation 4 (Week 12, 08/07/25)

Fig 4.13 Font presentation 5 (Week 12, 08/07/25)

Font Application

I start by searching the internet for suitable mockup. I got mine from freemockup.com. I wanted to make the concept of exhibition, so I search for poster/signage/frame/billboard mockup and tickets.

The background of the poster was made in photoshop using brush, blur effect and texture.

Fig 5.1 Bacground edit Photoshop (Week 12, 12/07/25)

I tried several layouts to find the best outcome. I found using small elements and thin storkes were not compatible when placed in the poster mockup. Therefore, I decided to remove it. I decide to go with the second design (middle ones).

Fig 5.2 Bacground edit Photoshop (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Before designing the ticket, I also looked for inspiration from pinterest.

Fig 5.3 Mockup ticket reference (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Fig 5.4 Ticket design (Week 12, 12/07/25)

I began by working on the design for the mockup in Illustrator and later export to Photoshop to edit.

Fig 5.5 Signage mockup (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Fig 5.6 Ticket mockup (Week 12, 12/07/25)

The background gradient for the ticket is using from the previous background as font presentation to maintain consistency.

Font Application - Honor Competition

Standby includes clock template design and personalized signature template designs.

We were to required to design the following:

1. Clock design
2. Personalized Signature Design

3. Overall Visual design

4. Animation Design

I start by working on the design in photoshop. To make things bold and minimalist I decided to just use black white and red from my previous color palette. Below is the progress of designing the clock template. I mainly used gradient tool for the design. For the phone screen, I tried using bright color but it doesn't suit well, so I go with the dark color.

Fig 5.7 Standby design (Week 12, 12/07/25)

I made more variations here for the overall visual design, some were using additional strokes elements, however, I ended up prefer the first design.

Fig 5.8 Overall Visual design (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Clock Animation

As I have done with the clock design, I export it to After Effect to edit the animation. Before that I separate each elements into different layer in Illustrator to ease edit in After Effect. Below is the animation process.

Fig 5.9 Animation (Week 12, 12/07/25)

FINAL FONT APPLICATION & HONOR COMPETITION

Fig 6.1 Signage mockup (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Fig 6.2 Ticket mockup (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Fig 6.3 Clock design (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Fig 6.4 Personalized Signature Design (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Fig 6.5 Overall Visual Design (Week 12, 12/07/25)

Fig 6.6 Animation (Week 12, 12/07/25)

FINAL OUTCOME TASK 3

Click here to download font

Fig 7.1 Xelora Font (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.1 Xelora font (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.2 Xelora font uppercase (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.3 Xelora font lowercase(Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.4 Xelora font punctuation (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.5 Xelora font number (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.6 Font presentation 1 (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.7 Font presentation 2 (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.8 Font presentation 3 (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.9 Font presentation 4 (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.10 Font presentation 5 (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.11 Signage mockup (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.12 Ticket mockup (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.13 Clcok design (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.14 Personalized signature design (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.15 Overall visual design (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.16 Animation (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.17 Font presentation PDF (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.18 Font Application (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.19 Font Application (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.20 Animation (Week 13, 14/07/25)

Fig 7.21 Honor Submission (Week 13, 14/07/25)

I am not able to submit the Honor Compeition as there is not submission for Standby category.

FEEDBACK

Week 9
General Feedback: Mr.Vinod gave feedback for task 3 proposal.
Specific Feedback : Mr.Vinod said the first idea is interesting (expansion of Typography Task3),he said to not use the second idea (Advanced Typographjy Task 1 Type & Play) while the thirdidea (Tai Er) has been used multiple times by provious students. He suggested me to go withidea 1 and decide I would applicate it to what (e.g. sci-fi, music, tech)

Week 10
General Feedback: Mr.Vinod gave feedback for uppercase.
Specific Feedback: Looks good, you can continue with lowercase.

Week 11
General Feedback: Mr.Vinod gave feedback for lowercase and punctuation.
Specific Feedback: You should use artboard height 1000px. The punctuation size looks weird. When designing a font, use existing font as a reference of height and size, do not assume.

Week 12
General Feedback: Mr.Vinod gave feedback for our font presentation.
Specific Feedback: Mr.Vinod said I can go on with what I have in the font presentation and reminded me to not make the fonts too small.

Week 13
General Feedback : Mr. Vinod gave feedback for overall Task 3
Specific Feedback : Good.

FURTHER READING

Fig 8.1 The Vignelli Canon by Massimo Vignelli (Week 9, 17/06/25)

I read the book Vignelli Cannon on Design by Massimo Vigneli. In this book, I am interested to read about the white space.

The printed page's white space is the architectural equivalent of space. The context is qualified by space in both cases. White space is crucial to clearly define the hierarchy of each component.

White space do not just seperate different parts of conttent, but also help placing the message inside the page's context.Tights margin makes tension between text images and edges of of the page. Wider margin reduce tension.

Iincreasing or decreasing the letter spacing (kearning) gives the words a unique expression and character. This entire process involves manipulating space and used in layouts to get desired expression.

One of the most important aspects of a composition is the interaction between the size of the type and the space around it.

REFLECTION

Experience
Week 9 to 13 feels so fast, there were a lot to do, from designing the typeface until the presentation and application. It was a challenging yet interesting work to do and explore. As my font needs accuracy and consistency, it took me time to finalize the font, I repetitively check whether they are good already. Despite the limited time, I am grateful to able to finish task 3 on time.

Observation
During class, I am able to view other peers work, I could see different styles and I realize that consistency of key characteristics in every letter is important to see the letters as a family. I've observed that font presentation doesn't need to be too complicated, I should be simple yet showcasing the font properly.

Findings
Do not underestimate fonts that looks simple, because doesn't meant it is easy to design as accuracy and consistency is the key. When designing a font, one need to know the purpose and theme for the it. With that, it could be guide to do the next step, designing the font itself, make a presentation and applicate it into mocups.

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Felice Jolin (0373636)

Advanced Typography / Task 3 Type Exploration and Application

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