Advanced Typography: Task 3 Type Exploration & Application

18.06.2025 - 16.07.2025 / Week 9 - Week 13

Brenda Wynn / 0372128

Advanced Typography / Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Task 3

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TASK

SUBMISSION

INSTRUCTIONS

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TASK

In this task, we get to choose whether we want to create a font that is meant to be a solution, elevate an existing font, or experiment with fonts. This is my proposal and the 3 ideas I have:

From the 3 ideas I had, I was leaning onto the third idea. So, I experimented a bit on how I can create a font that will be easily read by seniors that has cataract or presbyopia.

Figure 1.1 font idea 3 uppercase progress (20/06/2025, week 9)

Before I experimented with different ways to create the font, I created the grid and the guides first (Figure 1.1). After that, I experimented using a customized brush first to create the letters. It did not give the sharp edge I wanted, so I tried another way by using blocks that fills up the grid squares.

Figure 1.2 font idea 3 uppercase progress 2 (20/06/2025, week 9)

After I finished with the letter "A", I used the gaussian blur effect and adjusted the opacity to test if it is visible for seniors that has cataract or presbyopia (Figure 1.2). From the test, I can still see the letter clearly even though it is a bit blurred. Though after testing, I thought that it is better for me to change my idea. I decided to move on with my second idea, which will explore the letters I created on Task 2.

Figure 2.1 idea 2 references (21/06/2025, week 9)

Before I refined and expand the letters, I looked at some references first (Figure 2.1). During the research period, I found that most of the balloon type fonts are all unicase. So, I decided to expand the balloon type font to lowercase and punctuation marks too.

Figure 2.2 idea 2 uppercase sketch (22/06/2025, week 9)

Before I start digitizing and creating my font in Illustrator, I sketched out the uppercase alphabets first (Figure 2.2) so I can have a guide that will help me when I digitize the letters.

Figure 2.3 font idea 2 uppercase progress (23/06/2025, week 10)

First, I outlined the letters using the pen tool and the snap to grid tool to make much more consistent base (Figure 2.3). Then I added anchor points and smoothen out the letter. Lastly, I added the highlights that I made from circles by using the ellipse tool and deforming it using the direct selection tool.

Figure 2.4 font idea 2 uppercase progress 2 (23/06/2025, week 10)

Then I repeated the same method to the other letters (Figure 2.4), but I used the ellipse tool to create the tail in the uppercase letter "Q". I also used the shape-builder tool and the pathfinder tool to merge any shapes I needed to.

Figure 2.5 font idea 2 uppercase first attempt result (24/06/2025, week 10)

This is my first attempt results (Figure 2.5), but I was not that happy with it since it does not seem consistent enough.

Figure 3.1 font idea 2 uppercase second attempt progress (25/06/2025, week 10)

So, I decided to redo it all using the same method but with a much more consistent guide (Figure 3.1). I also used the Poppins font as reference and experimented with different shapes to see which one is more readable.

Figure 3.2 font idea 2 uppercase second attempt result (28/06/2025, week 10)

This is my second-attempt results (Figure 3.2) and I was satisfied with the results so I started on making my lowercase letters.

Figure 4.1 font idea 2 lowercase sketch (29/06/2025, week 10)

I sketched the lowercase alphabets (Figure 4.1) and experimented with different shapes first to help me digitize.

Figure 4.2 font idea 2 lowercase progress (29/06/2025, week 10)

To start, I used the sketch to draw the base of the letters first using the pen tool and the snap to grid tool (Figure 4.2). Then I used the bowl of the letter "a" for some of the other letters. I also experimented with different shapes of the letters to see which one is more readable.

Figure 4.3 font idea 2 lowercase progress 2 (30/06/2025, week 11)

After I finished making the base of the letters (Figure 4.3), I started to smoothen out each of the letters to show the balloon vibe. To smoothen the letters, I added anchor points and used both the guides and the direct selection tool. I also experimented with different letter shapes again to see which one is more readable.

Figure 4.4 font idea 2 lowercase result (30/06/2025, week 11)

This is the lowercase results (Figure 4.4), next I started working on the punctuation marks.

Figure 5.1 font idea 2 punctuation marks sketch (01/07/2025, week 11)

I started by sketching the main punctuation marks first and I also experimented with different shapes to see which one complements the letters more (Figure 5.1). Then I transferred the sketch to illustrator to start digitizing it.

Figure 5.2 font idea 2 punctuation marks progress (03/07/2025, week 11)

I used the same method as I did with both the uppercase and lowercase on the punctuation marks (Figure 5.2). I used the pen tool and snap to grid tool to make the base and smoothen it out by adding anchor points and using the direct selection tool. I also used a few parts from some of the punctuation marks for the others, so that it is more efficient and consistent.

Figure 5.3 font idea 2 punctuation marks progress 2 (05/07/2025, week 11)

For some of the punctuation marks, I utilized the blob brush tool to create the intricate details (Figure 5.3). I also made sure to differentiate the "[" and the "(" punctuation marks. Lastly, I added the highlights on each of the punctuation marks.

Figure 5.4 font idea 2 numerals sketch (01/07/2025, week 11)

After the punctuation marks were done, I started to sketch the numerals before digitizing it (Figure 5.4).

Figure 5.5 font idea 2 numerals progress (06/07/2025, week 11)

For the numerals (Figure 5.5), I also used the same method as I did for the uppercase, lowercase and the punctuation marks. I experimented with a lot with the different shapes of the numerals to see which one is more readable. I also decided to make the numerals 1px shorter to make it easier to identify from the letterforms.

Figure 5.6 font idea 2 punctuation marks & numerals result (06/07/2025, week 11)

This is the punctuation marks and numerals result after experimenting with a few shapes (Figure 5.6).

Figure 6.1 Font Forge trial (07/07/2025, week 12)

After I finished all of my letters, punctuation marks, and numerals. I transferred it to Font Forge (Figure 6.1), but the highlights did not show at first. So, Mr. Vinod advised me to make the highlights into "counters" using the pathfinder tool. He also advised me to use FontLab instead of Font Forge.

Figure 6.2 transferring font to FontLab (09/07/2025, week 12)

Before transferring my font into FontLab, I measured the guides first and then transferred all the letters (Figure 6.2), punctuation marks, and numerals to FontLab.

Figure 6.3 kerning progress (12/07/2025, week 12)

After I transferred all of the letters, punctuation marks, and numerals (Figure 6.3). I started kerning each one and adding value to some pairs. Then, once my font is working well and can be used. I looked into some references before starting the font presentation.

Figure 7.1 font presentation references (13/07/2025, week 12)

These are the references (Figure 7.1) I used to make the font presentation ideation.

Figure 7.2 font presentation ideas (14/07/2025, week 13)

These are a few ideas I have for the font presentation (Figure 7.2). For the font presentation, I want it to display the font as well as possible so I chose the most prominent ones.

Figure 7.3 font presentations progress (16/07/2025, week 13)

After choosing 5 of the prominent ones, I started refining and developing them (Figure 7.3). The first one I chose is the house, I made the house outline first and then I portrayed the font as the balloons. For the strings, I used the line segment tool and used the scissors tool to cut off the parts that were not needed. The second idea I chose is the hot air balloon inspired one. I mainly used the envelope distort to make the text mesh into the desired shape. As for the ropes, I also used the line segment tool and the scissor tool.

Figure 7.4 font presentations progress 2 (16/07/2025, week 13)

On the third idea, I decided to implement the idea of a balloon cluster (Figure 7.4). It is similar to the first idea but I used the blob brush tool and knife tool to create the flowy strings. I also decided to add a balloon that flew off due to the "wind". The fourth idea I chose was the animal face that is made by the punctuation marks, I chose it mainly to show my punctuation marks. I experimented with the colors on the fourth idea to see which one is more pleasing to look at. The last idea was the numbers, it is similar to the fourth idea but I wanted to showcase the numerals of my font. For the highlighted number, I chose the 19th. For all of these 3 ideas, I adjusted the opacity to make the main element more prominent and visible.

Figure 7.5 font presentations color palettes (17/07/2025, week 13)

I had 2 different color palettes (Figure 7.5), so I experimented with the presentation colors to see which one could convey the font better. I decided to use the blue based color palette since it is brighter and suits the font more.

Figure 7.6 font presentation color experimentation (23/07/2025, week 13)

Mr. Vinod recommended me to change how I use the colors in my font presentation. He advised me to use the colors the same way I did for the HONOR Competition. So, I experimented with a few different ways of using the colors.

Figure 7.7 font applications progress (17/07/2025, week 13)

After I was done with the presentation, I started on the applications. I designed it in Illustrator and then I transferred it to Photoshop to create the mockups (Figure 7.6).

Figure 8.1 HONOR Competition progress (19/07/2025, week 13)

For the HONOR Competition, I started by making the background for all the three designs first (Figure 8.1). I really liked the cluttered letters, numerals, and punctuation marks design so I implemented it on the design. I made it in Illustrator first, which I then transferred to Photoshop. I added different colors to some of the letters to emphasize the "BLUEWN" word and for the numerals I used the lighter shade of the color palette to differentiate it from the letters more clearly.

Figure 8.2 HONOR Competition progress 2 (19/07/2025, week 13)

After I was satisfied with the background design, I started experimenting with different designs (Figure 8.2) for the clock. I decided to use the one that has "balloons" floating since it represents the font best. I made it by overlaying the "balloons" on top of the time and used the knife tool to cut the strings that are too long.

Figure 8.3 HONOR Competition progress 3 (19/07/2025, week 13)

For the last design which is the personalized signature design (Figure 8.3), I experimented with the design that I like. But, I did not want the background and the design to clash so I adjusted it accordingly. In the end, I decided to use the third design since the font name was still prominent even though the logo is present.

HONOR STANBY RESULTS

Figure 8.4 HONOR Competition Clock Design (19/07/2025, week 13)

Figure 8.5 HONOR Competition Personalized Signature Design (19/07/2025, week 13)

Figure 8.6 HONOR Competition Overall Visual Design (19/07/2025, week 13)

Figure 8.7 2025 HONOR Competition progress (19/07/2025, week 13)

For the 2025 HONOR Competition, I chose the Visual Communication Design, Watches section and used the Photoshop and Illustrator file given (Figure 8.7) to design the watch. I created the initial design in Illustrator and transferred it to Photoshop.

HONOR 2025 RESULTS

Figure 8.9 2025 HONOR Competition Watches Design (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 8.10 2025 HONOR Competition Overall Visual Design (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 8.11 2025 HONOR Competition submission (23/07/2025, week 14)

FINAL TASK 3 SUBMISSION

"BLUEWN" font is created to expand the lowercase and punctuation marks of balloon type fonts.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BLUEWN FONT

FONT PDF

FONTLAB SCREEN GRAB

Figure 9.1 FontLab screen grab (21/07/2025, week 14)

FONT PRESENTATIONS

Figure 9.2 Font Presentation 1 (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 9.3 Font Presentation 2 (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 9.4 Font Presentation 3 (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 9.5 Font Presentation 4 (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 9.6 Font Presentation 5 (21/07/2025, week 14)

FONT APPLICATIONS

Figure 9.7 Font Application 1 (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 9.8 Font Application 2 (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 9.9 Font Application 3 (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 9.10 Font Application 4 (21/07/2025, week 14)

Figure 9.11 Font Application 5 (21/07/2025, week 14)

FONT PRESENTATIONS & APPLICATIONS PDF

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FEEDBACK

Week 9

General Feedback: Mr. Vinod gave us some feedback regarding our task 3 proposal. He said that we should be more specific with the purpose of making our typeface. He also recommended us to not choose elements that are limiting the creation of our typeface. As for the exploration of existing letterforms, he informed us that we should know why the typeface exists and also have a reason on why we are redesigning it.

Specific Feedback: Mr. Vinod gave me some feedback on my second and third idea of the proposal. He advised me to make the x-height bigger since the ascender is quite high for the second idea. Then for the third idea, he told me that I have to make the x-height bigger.

Week 10

General Feedback: -

Specific Feedback: Mr. Vinod gave feedback regarding the uppercase of the typeface I am creating, he said that I should continue working on my lowercase, numerals and punctuation marks.

Week 11

General Feedback: Mr. Vinod told us to analyze the punctuation marks of existing fonts first before making our own punctuation marks. He also reminded us that the size of the punctuation marks differ depending on our font style.

Specific Feedback: Mr. Vinod told me to continue digitizing my numerals and punctuation marks. He also advised me to make my font into an outline first if I want to include colors to my font element.

Week 12

General Feedback: Mr. Vinod suggested us to use FontLab to transfer our font and told us to finish the font presentation.

Specific Feedback: Mr. Vinod gave me some tips to properly transfer my font to FontLab.

Week 13

General Feedback: -

Specific Feedback: Mr. Vinod gave me some feedback regarding one of the font presentation ideas I made, he said it was a good idea. But, the strings of the balloon should be straight since it is pulling something.

Week 14

General Feedback: -

Specific Feedback: Mr. Vinod liked how I used the colors in my color palette for the HONOR Competition and recommended that I use them the same way in my font presentations.

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REFLECTION

Experience

During the period of making Task 3, we were told to create a working font, the presentations, and applications. To be honest, I was quite overwhelmed during the font making. I was behind my peers since I redid my uppercase because I was not satisfied. Then when time came to actually make the fonts work, I was having technical issues. Though after I made the font work, it was quite enjoyable. I had fun experimenting and creating the font presentations, applications, and the HONOR Competition designs.

Observation

On Task 3, we were told to create a workable font with uppercase and lowercase or a unicase font. We also needed to create the punctuation marks and numerals. Once our font works, we were tasked to create the presentations and applications. I was overwhelmed through out 3/4 of the process, mostly struggling on making the font but it was a fun learning experience. I learnt how to create a workable font and experimented with different designs. It was also honestly surprising how different me and my other peers works are. I noticed that I needed to plan my work better and manage my time better.

Findings

Though I did face many difficulties at the start, I have to admit that I learnt a lot. All the downs that I faced were actually very useful because I wouldn't have known some things if I did not face them. It was a bit overwhelming, but I am happy with the results. The process work was also not bad, I had fun finding out new things and learning new skills. I learnt how to create a workable font, a consistent font, and I also experimented with a lot of designs. I was a bit slow compared to my peers though, but that is something that I have to improve on. I have to work much more efficiently and plan my work better.

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