ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY - FINAL PROJECT

October 29, 2019

ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY - FINAL PROJECT

28/10/2019 - /11/2019 (Week 10 - Week 14)

Neoh Kar Yan (0339338)

Advanced Typography

Final Project - Design, Exploration, and Application

INSTRUCTIONS

FINAL PROJECT

For our final project for this module, we have to develop a font that is intended to solve a larger problem or meant to be part of a solution in the area of your interest be it graphic design, animation, new media or entertainment design or any other related area not necessarily reflecting your specialization or explore the use of a typeface in your area of interest, understand its existing relationship, identify areas that could be improved upon, explore possible solutions or combinations that may add value to the existing typeface.

To begin with, I started brainstorming my ideas on paper, drawing mindmaps identifying problems we face on a daily basis.

Fig.1.1: Brainstorming ideas

# Idea 1

My first idea was to create puzzles for each alphabet for kids to learn how to construct each alphabet on their own.

Fig.1.2: Reference #1

# Idea 2

My second idea was about creating a typeface using objects that start with the letter of the alphabet for kids to learn about words, their meaning, their colours and how they look like.

Fig.1.3: Reference #2

Idea #3

After discussing my ideas with a friend, I was suggested to combine both ideas into one. Instead of alphabet puzzles by itself, they have images of objects that start with the alphabet in each of the puzzle pieces. This is an idea which I was pretty excited about as I feel that puzzles for kids in the early stage are always too straightforward and lack of meaning in learning the alphabets. Kids nowadays are constantly exposed to technology and such, thus, I feel the need to create something that breaks away the habit of learning and staring from the screen.

Fig.1.4: Sketch and draft of ideas

Fig.1.3: Idea draft

Feedback:

Mr. Vinod said that my ideas can work. However, it doesn't have a tangible, meaningful value to it. Puzzles once they're done, they're just there sitting. Puzzles are very limited unlike legos, kids can reuse their purpose at creating whatever they want to unless the puzzles can be created into something else, not just alphabets.

Idea #4

This idea is about using elements from Chinese culture to develop a typeface, to promote and preserve the Chinese culture. Each letter will represent an element. For instance, the letter A representing the pagoda.

Initially, as seen below in the photo, my idea was developed from using Chinese cutleries, forming into letters. However, after discussing my ideas with Mr. Vinod, he expanded my limitation from using cutleries to the elements of Chinese culture.

To begin with, I started sketching my ideas and translating everything in my head on paper. I also started brainstorming by drawing a mindmap to list out what makes up the Chinese culture.

Fig.1.4: Brainstorming of idea

After listing out all the elements, I listed each alphabet out and tried matching them with the elements that I feel fits best. Behind the decision of which element goes where, the factors considered were the shape, the sense of it and the relation of that particular object to the alphabet.

Fig.1.5: Process #1

After identifying which element goes where, I analyzed the objects and proceeded to sketch them out.

Fig.1.6: Process #2

After sketching, I started digitizing them in Illustrator.

Fig.1.7: Process #3

Fig.1.8: Process #4

Fig.1.9: First draft of letters

After digitizing some of the letters, I realized that this idea is better off as a graphical element than a typeface as some alphabets were not so effective to be implemented with an element. Hence, I thought of a new idea which was still closely related to this current idea.

Idea #5

Using the elements from bamboo plant to promote Chinese culture. The application from this will be related to food because bamboo is used in a lot in the Chinese food industry.

According to China Daily (2011), bamboo is viewed as a symbol of traditional Chinese values. It is a significance of the harmony between nature and human beings. Bamboo has also been very popular in various aspects of ancient Chinese people's daily lives. It was used for food, clothing, housing, transportation, music instruments, and even weapons.

For my typeface, I have referred to the typeface Futura. Here is the digitizing process:

Fig.1.10: Process #1

I tried to construct the letters like bamboos, having a tiny gap in between each bamboo and having a bulge to them instead of looking straw-like straight. I wanted it to have more contrast between the bamboos so it also resembles the stroke-like characters of the Chinese script.

Fig.1.11: Process #2

After looking at my digitization, some letters weren't consistent so I refined some letters by indicating them with red labels.

Fig.1.12: Process #3

After adjusting the all the 26 letters, here is my first attempt:

Fig.1.13: First attempt

Fig.1.14: Second attempt

Here is my attempt at combining the letters:

Fig.1.15: First Attempt at combining the letters

After showing them to Mr. Vinod and Mr. Shamsul, they mentioned that the letters look similar to skeleton bones. Hence, Mr. Vinod advised making the letters look more elegant and bamboo-like or to add more leaves to the letters so it looks more like it. He said that I still have to keep refining the letters.

I decided to add more leaves, change some parts of the bamboo to leaves. I made corrections to the letter B, G, S, O, Q, and P to make them more consistent with the theme. I also made sure that I used the guides to keep my letters uniform in size and spacing.

Fig.1.16: Final refining process

Here is my second attempt at combining the letters:

Fig.1.17: Final Attempt at combining the letters

Fig.1.18: Final attempt

Final 26 letters in PDF:

APPLICATION

I decided to apply the typeface in different applications to explore the versatility and different outcomes it can be presented in. I've applied them in Chinese couplets, Ang Pao packets, Greeting card and also a restaurant menu.

Fig 1.19: Application on couplet #1

Fig 1.20: Application on couplet #2

Fig 1.21: Application on greeting card

Fig 1.22: Application on Ang Pao packets

Fig 1.23: Application on restaurant menu

Fig 1.24: Application on restaurant menu mockup

Fig 1.24: Application on T-shirt

FEEDBACK

Week 10:
No feedback

Week 11:
General Feedback：You need to have clear labels to your progression and final submission. We have to ensure the screengrab and the links to our microsite are included in the blog. We have to take our blogs seriously. We have to make sure our documents are public or else we'll get our marks deducted. Look at our blogs as though as we see it for the first time, everything is captioned briefly for viewers to understand.

Specific Feedback： Mr. Vinod said that my ideas can work. However, it doesn't have a tangible, meaningful value to it. Puzzles once they're done, they're just there sitting. Puzzles are very limited unlike legos, kids can reuse their purpose at creating whatever they want to unless the puzzles can be created into something else, not just alphabets. He suggested investing in an idea that is worthwhile, such as certificate. For my second round of feedback, he said that I can develop a typeface using Chinese culture elements instead of cutleries. For example, cheongsam, lanterns, motifs, etc. For now, he asked me to identify which element goes to which letter. He also suggested that I can look at Poppi icons to study how they stylize each of their icons.

Week 12:

Specific Feedback: Aiyoo these presently look very unrefined. Also, the glyphs lack body (thickness). It looks very skeletal- like as if someone took a basic tool and scratched out the characters. Refine. Refine.

Week 13:

General Feedback: When you're doing your e-portfolio, you must write it as if people are reading it for the first time, it has to be concise, elaborated. Our final compilation should be done by next week with clear labels, progression.

Specific Feedback: The letters look similar to bones. The letters G and S look awkward but the letter D is the solution. You can make the bamboo's bulge smaller so it looks more elegant or I can incorporate more leaves to the other letters so they look more like bamboos. For your application, the words should stand out, make it simple, no need to worry about the decoration. Overall, it has to be more refined.
Can you do more of the big one ... where your type is bigger. The menu is fine the poster cannot pakai. Try a few more variations. Make other deco. Ong shirt.Even if you do just the above one Angpao but you manage to get the above quality pun cukup. No need to do many.

Week 14:

General Feedback:

For our typographic systems, we must have the jpegs for every system and when we upload the type and play for part 1, upload the picture or object that you have extracted the letters from, so that the person can make a comparison to the source. For project 2, we must include a screen grab of microsite and include the link.

REFLECTION

Experiences

Week 10: For this final project, it was highly challenging and difficult for me to land on an idea because I had to come up with a solution with a specific purpose to it. I had preferences on how I wanted my topic to be like, it definitely has to excite me, it should be meaningful and brings an impact to the world.

Week 11: Having my initial idea left pending, I decided to work on a new idea that involves Chinese culture. In the process of gathering information about the culture, I got to discover and learn more about Chinese culture despite being Chinese. However, the thought process of identifying which element goes to which letter made me struggle.

Week 12: This week's progress has been the slowest. I struggled so much in executing my idea, some letters made it really complicated for me to pair a Chinese element to them. After digitizing a few of them, I wasn't too happy with the outcome, they didn't look consistent. Making sure each of them resembles their element and not making it too complicated was a challenge too.

Week 13: This week has been really rushed and hectic for me. I barely had enough sleep. I didn't have FontLab as well. I focused on refining my letters and came up with a few applications.

Week 14: This week we focused on finalizing our blogs and final compilations. I felt relieved today that I've completed my work and done updating my blog, now that everything is done, I get to focus on my other modules.

Observations

Week 10: No class

Week 11: I realized one of my friends had a similar idea with mine and a lot of them too struggled at finding the right topic to work on.

Week 12: Most of the students were progressing faster than me and some really have very interesting ideas, which really amuses me to see what their end product is and what is the process behind it.

Week 13: Most of my friends were done with their final project and the ones who did experimental are already done.

Week 14: Everyone felt happier today as it was our last day of class. It was really interesting seeing some of my classmates' printed outcomes of their final projects.

Findings

Week 10: No class

Week 11: I realized that talking and discussing your ideas with the right friend helps a lot with the thought process and will spark more interesting ideas in your head. I find this idea very helpful when I desperately need inspiration and ideas.

Week 12: I realized that some ideas of mine aren't that workable considering the resources and time I have left. I learned and acknowledged that the process is crucial. However, I shouldn't spend too much time on fixing small matters but to focus on what's important and stick to it to the end.

Week 13: I am actually pretty satisfied with my work. Initially, I felt really hopeless and directionless with my initial idea. I'm really happy that I went with my revised idea that the end product is achievable.

Week 14: I found that this module is still my favourite module and I'm really thankful to my lecturers and friends for the support and love.

Search This Blog

KAR YAN'S DESIGN JOURNAL