Advanced Typography Task 3: Type Application and Exploration
19 November 2024 - 17 December 2024
WANG ZILONG(0361141)
Typography | Bachelor of Design in Creative Media | Taylor's University
Task 3: Type Application and Exploration
List
Lecture
Introduction
Progress
Submission
Feedback
Further Reading
Reflection
INTRODUCTION
This is the Module Information Booklet for this module:
Task 3: Type Application and Exploration
Idea development
In the field of visual design, inspiration is everywhere, even from extreme emotions and dramatic expressions. Fatality and Brutality are two concepts full of tension and conflict, commonly seen in fighting games, horror movies, and cultural works of dark aesthetics. Incorporating these two highly impactful concepts into font design is not only an artistic challenge, but also an innovative attempt at visual narrative.
1. Concept refinement: from emotion to visual language
Fatality and Brutality represent the ultimate expression of destruction, end, and power. They give people a visual feeling of violent aesthetics, which can be conveyed through the shape, details and atmosphere of the font. Before the design begins, the following key elements can be extracted:
Fatality: precise, fatal, sharp, blade-like design sense, with a cold and resolute temperament.
Brutality: rough, irregular, full of power, embodying primitive and destructive characteristics.
When designing, these two emotions should be combined to choose a graphic language that can express "life and death duel" and "destructive impact".
Fig 1.1 The presentation of the font inside Mortal Kombat
Fig 1.2 The main title of Mortal Kombat
The Proposal of the Font
Research Development
Exploration of font design inspired by Fatality and Brutality
In the field of visual design, inspiration is everywhere, even from extreme emotions and dramatic expressions. Fatality and Brutality are two concepts full of tension and conflict, commonly seen in fighting games, horror movies, and cultural works of dark aesthetics. Incorporating these two highly impactful concepts into font design is not only an artistic challenge, but also an innovative attempt at visual narrative.
1. Concept refinement: from emotion to visual language
Fatality and Brutality represent the ultimate expression of destruction, end, and power. They give people a visual feeling of violent aesthetics, which can be conveyed through the shape, details and atmosphere of the font. Before the design begins, the following key elements can be extracted:
Fatality: precise, lethal, sharp, blade-like design sense, with a cold and resolute temperament.
Brutality: rough, irregular, full of power, embodying primitive and destructive characteristics.
When designing, we should combine these two emotions and choose a graphic language that can express "life-and-death duel" and "destructive impact".
2. Core direction of font design
Transforming Fatality and Brutality into font design can be done from the following aspects:
(1) Font form
Sharpness and sharpness: Use sharp strokes, jagged edges or broken glyphs to simulate the sharpness and impact of weapons.
Roughness and weight: Use thick, irregular lines or strokes to express a sense of brutal power.
Dynamic tension: Create a state of "ready to attack" through tilted, broken or extended glyph structures
Fig 2.1&2.2 The interface of Brutality
Interpretation of the progress from Sketch to the final font design
In the process of font design, the sketch stage is an indispensable exploration link. This stage is full of experimentation and is an important step for designers to gradually transform abstract inspiration into concrete visual forms. The following is an analysis of the progress of sketches in the font design inspired by Fatality and Brutality:
1. Initial inspiration and concept refinement
The first step of the sketch is to visualize the inspiration. With "fatality" and "brutality" as the core, we extract key visual features from the following directions:
Sharp lines, sharp angles, emphasizing precision and coldness.
Sketch 1: Concept exploration
At first, use hand-drawing to quickly outline the outlines of different letters, try spikes, but still keep the overall style of simplicity
The letter shape is still relatively basic, and the focus is on trying to convey emotions through proportions, angles and line styles.
Interpretation of progress:
The purpose of this step is to think about the overall style direction of the font. By comparing different glyph features, select the form that best expresses "fatality" and "brutality".
2. Letter structure and style determination
After the initial direction is clear, enter the more detailed design stage and gradually define the personalized details of the font.
Sketch 2: Style deepening
Begin to refine the shape of the letters and add more decorative details. For example:
Sharp terminal: simulate the effect of a knife edge, the end of the stroke is elongated and has a cutting feeling.
Progress interpretation:
The key at this stage is to make the font more recognizable while keeping the design consistent with the theme. By adjusting the stroke ratio and letter structure, gradually balance the functionality and artistry of the font.
3. Adjustment of consistency and integrity between letters
As the sketch approaches the end, the focus shifts to the consistency and integrity of the font.
Sketch 4: Systematization design
Adjust the stroke style and decorative elements of each letter to ensure that they are in the same design language.
Test the combination effect between letters (such as the presentation of the complete word "Fatality" or "Brutality") to observe whether there is a coherent visual rhythm.
Progress Interpretation:
This phase is about integrating individual letters into a systematic font set, focusing on balance, rhythm and usability. Testing dynamic effects is to ensure the application potential of the font in different media.
5. Next steps after completing the sketch
After the sketch stage is completed, the design will enter the digital process.
Fig 3.1 the Sketches with upper case letters
Fig 3.2 the mockup of the upper case& lower case letters after adjustment
While keeping the overall style consistent, I continued the edge-sharpness in the design of punctuation marks, reflecting the overall coolness and sharpness.
Fig 3.3 the overall view of the punctutation
My design language is rooted in the expression of extreme emotions and power. Through visual means, I capture the precision and coldness of "fatality" and combine it with the primitiveness and chaos of "brutality" to convey a sense of tension and oppression with a unique visual style. I strive to create a tension that is both impactful and narrative in my design, and let the design itself tell the story through the shape, texture and dynamic effects of the font.
Fontlab
Import the sketch
Open FontLab and create a new font project file.
Import the sketch of each letter into FontLab's Glyph Editor, making sure to align the letters. You can use the "Background Layer" function to import hand-drawn or digitized sketches as a reference for vectorization.
Draw vector paths
Use the Pen Tool to draw paths:
Draw basic stroke outlines along the edges of the sketch.
For sharp ends and irregular cracks, draw precise anchor points (nodes) and adjust the shape with Bezier curves.
Make sure the path is closed so that it can be filled and optimized later.
Process details in layers
If the font requires decorations such as cracks, jagged edges, and damage, you can draw these details in additional path layers.
Be careful to make the decorative details look natural without weakening the overall structural strength of the font.
Optimize the glyph outlines
Use the Optimize Tool to clean up redundant points and ensure that the path is simple and smooth.
Check whether the anchor points have smooth transitions, especially in complex decorative areas such as cracks or dripping blood effects, to avoid too many messy details affecting the output quality.
Fig 4.1 the overview of the fonts inside fontlab
Font consistency
Establish consistent stroke widths
Use FontLab's Measure Tool to check the stroke weights of letters to maintain the overall visual balance of the font.
If the font contains mixed styles (such as thick brutal strokes and sharp fatal decorations), make sure the transitions and distribution between styles are reasonable.
Adjust the proportions between letters
Make sure that the height and width of each letter are consistent: Uppercase letters: maintain a consistent baseline, x-height, and ascender height.
Special characters (such as "F", "T", or "Y") should be appropriately extended or compressed according to the design style.
Design letter consistency
Put the designed letters together (for example, "BRUTALITY" or "FATALITY") to check whether the overall style is coordinated.
Adjust letters that may be abrupt or inconsistent so that the font presents a coherent visual language in individual words or word combinations.
Kerning and Spacing
Set basic spacing
Use FontLab's Spacing Tool to set the side bearings for each letter. For bold fonts, keep the spacing tighter to enhance the visual impact.
For fonts with sharp and decorative parts, increase the letter spacing to avoid the decorative parts interfering with reading.
Perform kerning
Use FontLab's Kerning Tool to adjust the distance between specific letter combinations (such as "VA" and "LY") to ensure that the letter shapes do not appear too crowded or scattered when combined.
Test the visual effect of the entire word (such as "BRUTALITY") and gradually adjust the alignment and spacing of each letter.
Fig 4.2 the measurement of each letter
Fig 4.3 The overview of the fonts inside the fontlab window
Font Presentation
Font Presentation with white fonts and fashionable background
White fonts have strong expressiveness in design, especially in contrasting or layered backgrounds. It can convey elegance, modernity, freshness and even avant-garde temperament. When the fashion background is used as the keynote, combined with the inspiration of Fatality and Brutality, the presentation of white fonts will highlight the high-end sense, dynamic tension and unique visual impact. The following are specific implementation methods and design strategies.
Key points of white font design
Font form: create elegant contrast
Thin lines and negative space:
White fonts are more suitable for delicate and precise designs because of their brightness and lightness. Through slender lines and delicate negative space, a sense of luxury is conveyed.
Example: tall and thin serifs or geometric sans serifs, with elegant letter spacing. Dynamic distortion:
Adding a slight distortion to some strokes of the letters makes the font dynamic, which fits in with the fashionable "fluidity" design trend.
Example: Incorporating asymmetrical arcs into the letters "R" or "S" to show the flexibility and vitality of the font.
Fig 5.1 Font presntation 01
Fig 5.2 Font presentation 02
Fig 5.3 Font presentation 03
Fig 5.4 Font presentation 04
Fig 5.5 Font presentation mockup
Font-background ratio
Emphasize the protagonist role of font:
The font should occupy the core position of the picture, leaving enough breathing space around it to avoid the background from taking over the main role.
Example: Enlarge the font and center it, and fade the details of the background to create a contrast.
Balance of contrast and integration:
The complexity of the background needs to be balanced with the simplicity of the font, such as a complex background with simple white fonts, and a complex font with a minimalist background.
Dynamic typography design
Layering and interlacing:
White fonts can interact with the background through layering, such as part of the font being covered by the background or the font seemingly floating above the background.
Example: In a fluid background, the lower half of the font is slightly penetrated by the background color, forming a soft sense of integration.
Tilt and dislocation:
The arrangement of fonts can be moderately tilted or staggered to break the single horizontal layout and enhance the sense of fashion and dynamics.
Font Application
In the field of design, black is a very expressive choice. Its simplicity and depth can convey a sense of luxury, power and restrained aesthetics. If combined with the inspiration of Fatality and Brutality, this design language can further tap the potential of black, highlighting details and tension in minimalism. The following are specific methods and implementation strategies.
The core concept of luxury: extreme details in simplicity
The luxury of black solid color fonts comes from the following core elements:
Precision of lines: Every stroke must be clear and sharp, emphasizing the precision and power in the design.
Restraint of details: Through subtle irregularities or decorations, the uniqueness of the design is shown without being overwhelming.
The use of negative space: Black fonts rely on negative space to enhance recognition, giving the fonts more breathability and artistry.
This design style pursues minimalism but not ordinary, creating an intriguing visual impact with the philosophy of "less is more".
Fig 6.1 Font application 01
Fig 6.2 Font application 02
Fig 6.3 Font application 03
Fig 6.4 Font application 04
Fig 6.5 Font application 05
Fig 6.6 The mockup of Font application
Scenarios for presenting a sense of luxury
Brand logo design
Black fonts can be used as logos for luxury brands or high-end technology companies, using pure black to embody a low-key sense of luxury.
Example:
In the field of luxury fashion, thin and elongated black fonts can be used with regular spacing (such as the simple style of the brand "YSL").
In the field of technology, geometric and dynamic cracks (such as the cracked letter "T") are combined to convey a sense of power and foresight.
Fashion and exhibition design
Black fonts can be used for titles of high-end fashion exhibitions or art exhibitions, emphasizing artistic sense and modernity.
Example: Placing black fonts on a minimalist white background, combined with enlarged letter layout, creates a highly visually impactful contrast.
Gaming and entertainment industry
Pure black fonts are suitable for integrating into the visual design of e-sports or film projects, conveying a sense of coldness and strong lethality.
Example: In game titles, violent aesthetics are expressed with cracked and sharp designs while maintaining simplicity and elegance.
The submission in pdf format:
Feedback
General Feedback
Consistency: Maintain a unified aesthetic; some weeks showed stronger alignment between fonts and backgrounds than others.
Negative Space: Improve spacing for better readability and elegance.
Background Complexity: Simplify busy backgrounds to avoid overshadowing the fonts.
Font Refinement: Ensure proportionality and consistency across all letterforms, balancing sharpness with readability.
Specific Feedback
Week 8: Concept Exploration
Strength: Strong integration of Fatality and Brutality.
Improvement: Refine breakage placement for better readability.
Week 9: Font Shape Refinement
Strength: Cleaner, sharper edges.
Improvement: Adjust proportions for characters like "R" and "S" to align with the overall set.
Week 10: Background Experimentation
Strength: Creative fluid and geometric patterns.
Improvement: Tone down textures to emphasize font clarity.
Week 11: Presentation Layouts
Strength: Balanced text and background integration.
Improvement: Experiment with asymmetry and dynamic layouts for a modern aesthetic.
Week 12: Refinement and Testing
Strength: Improved readability and subtler textures.
Improvement: Simplify or exaggerate details for better visibility at small sizes.
Week 13: Final Presentation
Strength: Polished and professional, with strong contrast.
Improvement: Simplify busy backgrounds and increase text scale for focus.
Reflection
The process of designing and presenting the font inspired by Fatality and Brutality offered significant opportunities for creative exploration, technical refinement, and conceptual growth. Here are my reflections on the experience:
1. Conceptual Development
The idea of integrating Fatality's sharpness and Brutality's raw power into a typographic form was both challenging and rewarding. Translating these abstract concepts into something tangible required balancing aesthetic appeal with functional readability.
Success:
The fragmented and sharp-edged designs successfully conveyed the intended themes, giving the font a distinctive identity that feels modern and edgy. The decision to focus on clean, white typography against contrasting backgrounds added a high-end, minimalistic appeal.
Challenge:
Achieving a cohesive design language across all characters while maintaining visual harmony required iterative refinement. Balancing conceptual elements like breakage and distortion with legibility proved to be an ongoing struggle.
2. Technical Execution
The transition from sketches to digital rendering in tools like FontLab pushed me to refine my technical skills. Each phase required a deep focus on detail and precision to ensure the fonts not only looked aesthetically strong but also functioned across various scales.
Success:
Learning to use negative space creatively helped to enhance the font's modern aesthetic. FontLab's tools allowed for a high level of control over curves, spacing, and proportions, which was vital in bringing the initial sketches to life.
Challenge:
Maintaining consistency in breakage details and line weights across all characters was a painstaking process. Testing the font in different contexts revealed areas where certain details were too subtle or too exaggerated.
3. Presentation and Background Integration
The exploration of backgrounds was an essential aspect of the project, as they provided the context for the font's intended use in fashion-forward designs. The balance between abstract textures andtypographic focus was key.
Success:
The use of abstract, fluid, and geometric backgrounds created a dynamic contrast with the white fonts, amplifying their visual impact. Experimenting with light and shadow effects added depth and sophistication.
Challenge:
Some backgrounds initially felt overly complex, distracting from the typography. Simplifying these elements in the final iterations ensured the font remained the focal point.
4. Feedback Integration
Receiving feedback throughout the process was invaluable for refining the design. Suggestions such as simplifying textures, adjusting proportions, and exploring asymmetrical layouts helped elevate the final presentation.
Key Takeaways from Feedback:The importance of readability at all sizes, which influenced adjustments to breakage and spacing.
Subtlety in background design enhances the font’s presence without competing for attention.
Experimenting with unconventional layouts and placements can add a bold, editorial quality to presentations.
5. Overall Growth
This project deepened my understanding of the relationship between typography, visual storytelling, and contextual application. I developed a stronger eye for detail, improved my ability to balance concept with functionality, and gained confidence in experimenting with bold design decisions.
Future Improvements
Scalability Testing: Devote more time to testing how fonts perform in diverse applications, such as small print or digital displays.
Background Flexibility: Explore backgrounds that adapt to various industries beyond fashion, enhancing the font's versatility.
Time Management: Allocate more time for the earlier sketch phase to explore alternative concepts before moving into digital refinement.
Further Reading
Fig 7.1 Typographic design: Form and communication (2015)
To deepen the understanding of typography and its role in design, particularly in the context of this project, Typographic Design: Form and Communication (2015) by Rob Carter, Ben Day, and Philip Meggs offers invaluable insights into the principles and practices of creating effective and innovative typographic solutions.
1. Typography as a Form of Expression
This book emphasizes that typography is more than just letterforms; it is a medium of visual communication and expression. The project's focus on Fatality and Brutality as inspirations reflects this idea, demonstrating how typography can embody emotions, narratives, and abstract concepts. The authors discuss how the choice of form, space, and composition communicates meaning, making it a critical resource for designers exploring the expressive potential of type.
Connection to the Project:
The fragmented, sharp-edged design elements used in this font align with the book’s emphasis on the relationship between form and meaning. By applying techniques like controlled distortion and creative use of negative space, the project mirrors the text’s assertion that typography can evoke both intellectual and emotional responses.
2. Typographic Systems and Layouts
The book introduces essential concepts such as grid systems, hierarchy, and balance in typographic design. These principles were directly applicable when designing the font presentation, particularly in experimenting with asymmetrical layouts and editorial-inspired arrangements.
Recommended Focus:
Chapter 3, which discusses structure and the use of grids, can provide further inspiration for creating dynamic, fashion-forward presentations. It offers strategies for balancing asymmetry and proportion, aligning perfectly with the project’s exploration of high-fashion aesthetics.
3. Form and Counterform
A significant portion of the book focuses on the interaction between positive and negative space—referred to as form and counterform. This concept was pivotal in the project, especially in refining the balance betweensharp edges, breakages, and overall readability.
Key Takeaway:
The book emphasizes that counterform (negative space) is as important as the positive space of a letter. Future refinements could benefit from reanalyzing these relationships to ensure every character achieves harmony while retaining its bold conceptual impact.
4. Typography in Context
One of the book’s strengths is its exploration of typography’s application across mediums and industries, including branding, editorial design, and digital interfaces. It stresses the importance of designing with context in mind, ensuring typography aligns with the purpose and audience.
Connection to the Project:
The project’s use of contrasting white fonts on textured backgrounds echoes this principle, demonstrating how typography interacts with its environment to create a strong visual narrative. Further exploration of typographic contexts, as discussed in Chapter 6, could inspire even greater versatility in future iterations of the design.
5. Contemporary and Experimental Typography
The authors highlight the evolution of typography, encouraging designers to push boundaries and experiment with unconventional forms. This aligns with the project’s conceptual direction, where breakages and distortions challenge traditional typographic norms to convey themes of destruction and power.
Recommended Reading:
The sections on experimental typography provide case studies and examples of how breaking conventional rules can result in innovative, impactful designs. This could inspire even bolder experiments in type design while maintaining functionality.
Comments
Post a Comment