Advanced Typography/Task 3/Type Exploration and Application

25.10.2023-29.11.2023（Week9-Week14）

Chai HongHong/0354211/Creative Media Design.

Advanced Typography/Task 3/Type Exploration and Application

           

                               

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INSTRUCTION

Task 3: Type Exploration and Application

For Task 3, we get to dictate our own project. We are to either design a typeface to solve a problem in the area of our interest (Graphic Design, UI/UX, Animation, Entertainment Design, or any other) or explore the use of a typeface in our area of interest. The end outcome would be the designed typeface in its application - any kind of format related to the issue being solved or explored: animation, 3D, print, ambient, projection, movie title or game title, use of different materials, etc.

Week 9

Proposal of ideas

Fig.1.1.Proposal

None of my three ideas came through, so I came up with a fourth idea, I wanted to create a Chinese-style architectural font. It is a fusion of Chinese architecture and fonts. I wanted to change the strokes of the letters to add a Chinese architectural element to them.

Inspiration

Below are two Chinese fonts composed of Chinese-style buildings. Each of its strokes is composed of some part of Chinese-style architecture. I thought it was interesting and I thought I could try applying it to an English font.

Fig.1.2.Inspiration

Fig.1.3.Inspiration

I explored some architecture that could be applied to the strokes of English lettering.

Fig.1.4.reference building

Fig.1.5.Reference building parts.

For the letter O, I decided to refer to ancient Chinese copper coins.

Fig.1.6.reference 

After I got the idea, I immediately tried to do it. I made a few letters and showed them to Mr. Vinod.

Mr. Vinod said that the letter ‘A’ was fine, but the strokes should be more restrained. The strokes of other letters are too large, please refer to the strokes of the letter ‘A’ for modification.

Fig.1.7. preliminary attempt

After getting permission and feedback from Mr. Vinod, I started to modify the font and determine the core of the strokes of the font.

The final form of the letter A was approved by Mr. Vinod.

Fig.1.8. A

I started creating all the letters.

Reference font: Gill Sans Std

Fig.1.9. process of capital letters

Fig.1.10. process of lowercase letters

Fig.1.11. 

Fig.1.12. path

Fig.1.13. After merging paths

Fig.1.14. all fonts

After I decided on all the fonts, I imported them into Fontlab. Mr. Vinod showed me how to adjust the word spacing.

Fig.1.15. FontLab

Fig.1.16. FontLab

Fig.1.17. FontLab

Fig.1.18. Process

I exported and installed the font. I named it ChineseStyle because the font is inspired by Chinese architecture.

Fig.1.19. FontLab export

Chinese Style Font Download Link：

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D3pOfzCJApcct4x5xj3v8-aGEyIMG94_/view?usp=drive_link

PDF. Fontlab

Font Presentation Process

I selected one of the following layouts.

Fig.1.20. Process

Application Process

Regarding the application of fonts, my fonts are inspired by Chinese-style architecture, and the Forbidden City is a very representative Chinese-style building. I chose to make something practical and commemorative with the theme of the Forbidden City. Such as Chinese fans, red envelopes, calendars, and hanging paintings.

Chinese fan: I used a picture of the Forbidden City as the background, paired with an ancient Chinese poem describing the Forbidden City.

Fig.1.21. Process

Fig.1.22. Layout 1

Fig.1.23. Layout 2

Fig.1.24. Layout 3

Fig.1.25. Layout 4

I hesitated for a long time between the two font colors. The first one blends into the picture better, the second white color stands out more. 

Fig.1.26. Process

Fig.1.27. Mockup 1

Fig.1.28. Mockup 2

Fig.1.29. Mockup 3

Red Envelope: 

I like this red envelope design the best. I added a lot of blessing words to it, and I feel like opening it opens up good luck.

Fig.1.30. Process

Fig.1.31. front

Fig.1.32. back

Fig.1.33. Mockup

Calendars: I have designed two layouts for the desk calendar for customers to choose from.

Fig.1.34. Process

Fig.1.35. Layout 1

Fig.1.36. Layout 2

Fig.1.37. Mockup

Hanging Paintings:

Fig.1.38. Process

Fig.1.38. Layout 1

Fig.1.39. Layout 2

Fig.1.40. Layout 3

Fig.1.41. Mockup

Instagram Layout:

I was not very satisfied with the first layout. I converted the mockup into a PNG image and then made the background transparent to a low tone to highlight the product.

Fig.1.42. First Layout

Fig.1.43. Final Layout

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FINAL TASK SUBMISSION

Chinese Style Font Download Link：

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D3pOfzCJApcct4x5xj3v8-aGEyIMG94_/view?usp=drive_link

PDF.2.1. Fontlab

Final Font

Fig.2.1. Final Font

PDF.2.2. Final Font

Presentation

Fig.2.2. Presentation

Fig.2.3. Presentation

Fig.2.4. Presentation

Fig.2.5. Presentation

PDF.2.3. Presentation

Application

Fig.2.6. Fan

Fig.2.7. Red envelope

Fig.2.8. Red envelope

Fig.2.9. Calendar

Fig.2.10. Calendar

Fig.2.11. Hanging Painting

PDF.2.4. Application Design

Fig.2.12. Collateral 1

Fig.2.13. Collateral 2

Fig.2.14. Collateral 3

Fig.2.15. Collateral 4

PDF.2.5. Collateral 

Instagram

Ins Link: 

https://www.instagram.com/chines_style6/utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Fig.2.16. Ins layout

Fig.2.17. Layout 1

Fig.2.18. Layout 2

Fig.2.19. Layout 3

Fig.2.20. Layout 4

Fig.2.21. Layout 5

Fig.2.22. Layout 6

Fig.2.22. Layout 7

Fig.2.23. Layout 8

Fig.2.24. Layout 9

PDF.2.6. Instagram Layout

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FEEDBACK

Week 9

General Feedback: Mr. Vinod looked at my three ideas and asked me to use my idea to make the four letters HOND. I tried all three ideas, but none of them worked very well.

Specific Feedback: So I created another font and showed it to Mr. Vinod. Mr. Vinod said that the letter ‘A’ was fine, but the strokes should be more restrained. The strokes of other letters are too large, please refer to the strokes of letter ‘A’ for modification.

Week 10

General Feedback: The font is all ok, just continue to complete it.

Specific Feedback: I still have some dissatisfaction with certain fonts. I will improve them as I go along until I make a font that I am satisfied with.

Week 11

General Feedback: Everything is OK, continue.

Specific Feedback: No

Week 12

Specific Feedback: The word spacing in FontLab should be adjusted according to the table provided by the team. Mr. Vinod showed me how to adjust the word spacing data of capital letters. He explained it in detail. I quickly understood what he meant.

General Feedback: I adjusted the spacing of lowercase letters in the same way, but it looked a little strange. For example, the distance between b and c was very close. I showed it to Mr. Vinod, who taught me to adjust the special space at the bottom to change the distance between the two letters.

Week 13

Specific Feedback:  Mr. Vinod said that I should put the focus of the poster on the font and not the border. There can be borders but they should not be too conspicuous.

General Feedback: The mockup of the application should be related to the font theme.

Week 14

Specific Feedback: Mr. Vinod suggested that I add a background color to the presentation design.

General Feedback: I learned a lot in this module and Mr. Vinod helped me a lot. I learned a lot in this module and Mr. Vinod helped me a lot. I am also honored to have Mr. Vinod’s recognition of my work.

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REFLECTIONS

Experience: Task 3 is very similar to Task 2. Task 3 requires all letters. I thought about making a font with the same style as Task 2, but I wanted to improve my creativity, so I decided to try a different design style. The three ideas I first proposed were not very good, and I had no creative inspiration for them. So I decided to start from my interests and create a font in the field that interests me. I explored a lot of Chinese-style architecture and wanted to try to incorporate these architectural elements into the letters. After many revisions, I settled on the final font form, and I liked the letters "A" and "M" the best. When applying fonts, I tried many layouts, hoping to make the fonts and products better integrated. This assignment made me think a lot and I was immersed in the process.

Observations:  This Task is not only a design exercise, but also an in-depth exploration of the combination of culture and typography art. First, I learned how to combine personal interests with professional skills. In this project, I tried to incorporate Chinese architectural elements into English font design. The origin of this idea is my love for traditional Chinese architecture and interest in the art of typography. I realized that real innovation often comes from cross-border fusion, combining seemingly unrelated elements to produce surprising results. Secondly, this process taught me the importance of feedback and iteration. After designing the first draft, I received valuable feedback from my mentor, which helped me refine the design and finalize the style and form of the font. This process taught me that good design is the result of iteration and requires constant evaluation and adjustment.

Findings: The improvement of technical skills is also an important gain for me in this project. Using professional tools like Fontlab to adjust kerning and glyphs gave me insight into the intricacies of font design. Although these technical details are small, their impact on the overall design is huge. In addition, by applying design to actual products, such as making Chinese fans and red envelopes related to the Forbidden City, I learned how to effectively combine design with its application scenarios. These practical applications not only demonstrate the versatility of typefaces, but also provide opportunities to integrate designs into everyday life. This project deepened my understanding of the relationship between design and culture. I realized that design is not just a tool for visual expression, it is also a way of cultural communication. In this way, we can communicate deeper meaning and value across language and cultural boundaries.

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FURTHER READING

Fig. 3.1. Vignelli Canon on Design

"Vignelli Canon on Design" is a book about design principles and practices written by the famous designer Massimo Vignelli. After reading this book, I have a deeper understanding of design, especially how to incorporate simplicity, functionality, and timeliness into design.

Vignelli's design philosophy is based on a strong structuralist view. He believes that design is not only art, but also a language and tool whose purpose is to solve problems and convey information. This book shows readers how to create design pieces that are both beautiful and functional by breaking down different aspects of design, such as typography, color, paper, and more. Vignelli's point of view emphasizes the functionality of design and believes that good design should transcend the limitations of time and style and achieve a kind of durability over time.

A thought-provoking point in the book is that design should be "visual poetry." Vignelli believes that designers should pursue a visual harmony and balance, which is not only reflected in aesthetics, but also in the clear communication of information and functionality. Through a wealth of examples and personal experience, he demonstrates how to use detailing, proportion, contrast, and typography techniques to create designs that are both beautiful and effective.

Reading this book gave me a deeper understanding of the purpose and nature of design. Vignelli's philosophy made me realize that as designers, our first priority is to create designs that both solve real problems and convey a clear message. This way of thinking has had an important influence on my previous design approach that focused more on aesthetics and neglected practicality.

In short, "Vignelli Canon on Design" is not only a technical guide about design, but also a book about design philosophy and ways of thinking. Vignelli's concepts and methods provided me with a new perspective on design, making me realize that as designers, our job is not only to create visual beauty, but more importantly, to solve problems and convey information through design. Create meaningful and lasting value. This book is a valuable resource for any designer or anyone interested in design.