Advanced Typography_Task 3: Type Application and Exploration

November 18, 2024

Advanced Typography_Task 3: Type Application and Exploration

19 November 2024 - 17 December 2024

CHONG CHENG TAO (0371072)

Typography | Bachelor of Design in Creative Media | Taylor's University

Task 3: Type Application and Exploration

List

INSTRUCTIONS

This is the Module Information Booklet for this module:

Task 3: Type Application and Exploration

Ideas
Research
Progress

Sketch
Color Palette
Fontlab

Final Letterform
Font Presentation
Font Application
Final Submission

Ideas

Southern hip-hop
Chinese porcelain
Rough gemstones

Final choice: Chinese porcelain font

Researchs

Following are some visual reference:

Fig 1.2.1 Visual reference_Chinese porcelain (19/11/2024, Week 9)

I started the research from the difference porcelain from different dynasties:

Yuan Dynasty: Thick-bodied, bluish glaze, bold and vigorous designs.
Ming Dynasty: Evolves from bold to refined, with increasing delicacy.
Qing Dynasty: Perfects craftsmanship, emphasizing variety and artistry.

I focus on porcelain from Qing Dynasty, which the artistry of porcelain craftmanship was at its peak. I list down some iconic visual elements used in Chinese Porcelain.

Mythical creatures: Dragons, phoenixes, and qilin
Landscape paintings: Mountains, rivers, villages, winds
Floral motifs: Peony flower, lotus flower
Pattern: Fret, ruyi heads, scrolling vines

Sketch

Fig 1.3.1 Sketch (11/11/2024, Week 8)

In the sketch, I aim to:

Retain the shapes of the reference font, Bodoni MT Black.
Explore the possibility of different visual elements in forming a typeface.
Break the shapes at same suitable place, create a less rigid structure.
Balance the use of blue and white.

Color Palette

Fig 1.3.2 Color Palette

(20/11/2024, Week 9)

Progress

However, I face some problems, which are:

Creating process of each letter is extremly time consuming. I won't be able to finish all the letters by the deadline.
Consistency of strokes is hard to maintain too as it either looks too thin or too thick in different letters.

Fig 1.3.3 First attempt (21/11/2024, Week 10)

Thus, I try to go do in pixelated form instead of strokes to:

Decreasing the time consumed in adjusting strokes.
Focusing more in simplify and refine the pattern and tiles of chinese porcelain.
Create an interesting font with the combination of tradisional visual elements and pixel art.

Fig 1.3.4 Pixel pattern reference (21/11/2024, Week 10)

I classify the letters into different groups, which the letters in the same group use the same design elements.

Group 1: A, M, N
Group 2: B, H, K, 4
Group 3: C, G, U, 5
Group 4: D, S, X, 2
Group 5: E, F, 3
Group 6: O, Q, V, W, 7, 8, 0
Group 7: I, L, T, L, Z
Group 8: P, R, Y, 1, 6, 9
Group 9: (Punctuations)

There is some points to be noted while developing the letters:

Ensure serif in overshoot and baseline overshoot is legible.
Balance between blue and white colors.
Ensure the letters are legible in small font size.
2 grids are added for overshoot and baseline overshoot (for serif).

Fig 1.3.5 Second attempt (26/11/2024, Week 10)

Font Measurements:

Ascender: 42px
Overshoot: 20px
Cap height: 628px
X-height: 437px
Baseline: 0px
Baseline overshoot: -20px
Descender: -183px

Fig 1.3.6 Font measurement (3/12/2024, Week 11)

Fig 1.3.7 Letters, numbers and punctuation (3/12/2024, Week 11)

Fontlab

I export the font in SVG format and import to Fontlab 8.

*OpenType-PS is working instead of OpenType-TT

Fig 1.3.8 Import to Fontlab 8 (5/12/2024, Week 11)

I adjust the sidebearing and kerning based on the given reference. While it is not applicable on most of the letters since there's outliars and overshoots in the font design.

Fig 1.3.9 Sidebearing measurement reference (5/12/2024, Week 11)

Fig 1.3.10 Kerning adjustemnt testing (5/12/2024, Week 11)

Font Presentation

We will need to do 5 artworks to present the designed font.

Fig 1.4.1 Porcelain-Display_All glyphs (6/12/2024, Week 11)

Following are the first draft:

Fig 1.4.2 Font Presentation_First draft (10/12/2024, Week 12)

Mr. Vinod suggested me to do the letter in big form, take reference from The Guardian Headline and Titlepiece Fonts. The desgin in first attempt can be used in font application.

Fig 1.4.3 Font Presentation_Second attempt (10/12/2024, Week 12)

Font Application

"P : P"

An exhibition showcasing product using the Porcelain Display typecafe.

Both "P"s in the title represents the distinct different of porcelain and pixel aesthetic:

PORCELAIN : PIXEL
PAST : PRESENT
PURE : PLAYFUL

After a few experimental with the layout design, I found out it looks better when displayed in large size (title & heading) rather than normal sentences and paragraphs, as tiny pixel details can be seen.

Besides, the combination of it with other fonts create a interesting design, following are some exampels.

Fig 1.5.1 Heading_2024 (13/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.5.2 Heading_Exhibition (13/12/2024, Week 12)

Following are the designs made for the applications:

Fig 1.5.3 Application design_1 (15/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.5.4 Application design_2 (15/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.5.5 Application design_3 (15/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.5.6 Application design_4 (15/12/2024, Week 12)

Mock-up / Products:

Banner
Poster
Book
Mug
Envelop

Fig 1.5.7 Font Application (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Final Submission

Porcelain Display_All glyphs preview

Fig 1.6.1 Porcelain Display_Glyphs preview (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Download Here: Porcelain Display

*Porcelain Display-SVG.otf only work in softwares that support OpenType SVG format (e.g. Adobe CC, Fontlab, Affinity )

Fig 1.6.2 Fontlab screen grab (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Font Presentation

Fig 1.6.3 Font Presentation_1 (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.4 Font Presentation_2 (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.5 Font Presentation_3 (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.6 Font Presentation_4 (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.7 Font Presentation_5 (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.8 Font Presentation_PDF (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Font Application

Fig 1.6.9 Font Application_ Banner (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.10 Font Application_ Poster (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.11 Font Application_ Book (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.12 Font Application_Mug (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.13 Font Application_Envelop (16/12/2024, Week 12)

Fig 1.6.14 Font Application_PDF (16/12/2024, Week 12)

FEEDBACK

Week 9

General feedback:

When doing a typeface and font, it's better to target audience to show and experiment on.
Practical application of font is important, which the approach need to be considered wisely.
Our approach need to be different from the existing font.
For script letterform, the connection part need to be organic.
Unicase typeface is a consideration, however, a better result will be expected.
The weight of the font is important, which make it stand out.
Use a grid structure to ensure consistency of the letter.

Specific feedback:

For idea 1, the spines are the outliers, the kerning and leading will be difficult to adjust.
Idea 2 is interesting, can try to go with this idea.

Week 10

General feedback:

Do lowercase letter besides uppercase, to ensure the consistency of the font.

Specific feedback:

Research on Imperial Kiln Site, Jingdezhen, a pottery gallery in China.
Give a clear and practical application to the font.

Week 11

General feedback:

Start working on font presentation.
Make the artwork in1024x1024

Specific feedback:

Try to explore the method to do pixel colored font in Fontlab.
Shortlist a few punctuation for the designs.

Week 12

General feedback:

Display the letters in differnet size while doing font presentation.

Specific feedback:

Do the letter presentation in big form.
Take reference from The Guardian Headline and Titlepiece fonts
For the first piece, show the letters only instead of show with numbers and punctuation.

Week 13

General feedback:

Finalize blog and feedback.

Specific feedback:

All good.

REFLECTIONS

Experience

This task is a wonderful way to close the journey of this module. The flexibility of the creative approach allowed for wide exploration. I'm able to dive deeper into a subject I’m interested about and explore creative possibilities in the medium of typography. I’m quite satisfied with the project I’ve accomplished through this task. Although it was challenging at the beginning, I was getting more familiar with the workflow and creative process as time went on. As time progressed, I found myself adapting and refining my approach, which helped me grow both as an artist and a designer.

Observation

The role of typography in representing a cultures, elements and identities is strong. As it is powerful visual communication tools. Typography has the ability to evoke emotions, preserve heritage and promote a specific culture. The approach and consideration on the application of a designed typeface is vital, as it always tie with audiences' perception on viewing not only the design, but the underlaying meaning represented by it.

Findings

In this task, I have try to fuse elements of Chinese Porcelain with pixels to create a typeface. The research and creating process is tough as it requires my deep understanding on both aesthetics to blend into a cohesive looking design. I had to explore the cultural and visual elements of Chinese porcelain while balancing them with the digital precision of pixel design.

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CHONG CHENG TAO (0371072)