Advanced Typography / Task 3: Type Exploration and Application

24/05/2022 - 05/07/2022 / Week 8 - Week 14

Kim Min Ah / 0356145

Typography  / Creative Media / Taylor's Design School


TASKS

Task 3: Type Exploration and Application


INSTRUCTIONS




Fig 1.1.1  Module information booklet




Task 3: Type Exploration and Application

Ideation



Fig 1.1.2 
Task 3 Ideation(31/05/2023)

Harmony Of Characteristics of Korean and Roman Letterforms  

Research


Fig 1.1.3 Task 3 mindmap (05/06/2023)



Fig 1.1.4
 Task 3 references (05/06/2023)



Fig 1.1.5
 Task 3 references (06/06/2023)


Reference Lists:

Flowers (Set with spring flowers...., Pinterest)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/936678422473172702/


Korean hibiscus illustration (Flowers In Clusters White..., Pinterest

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/56365432827345301/


Korean patterns in red colours (Untitled, Pinterest)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/844493671058449/


Letter "M" with floral illustrations (Floral letters, Pinterest)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/156992737004191774/


t115B r1 박태수 02 체계적 한글 서예 교본 한양근 씀(도서출판우람), Pinterest

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70439181665494429/


Decorative typeface (Moalang: A free decorative..., Pinterest)

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/598978819208896017/


Floral font (De Flore – Free Floral Font, Pinterest)
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/322570392055590112/



Sketches



Fig 1.1.6 
Task 3 references (06/06/2023)


My initial idea was to create a typeface that can compose simple initial marks for users, however, Based on the feedback I received from Mr.Vinod in week 11 and also for wider usability, I decided to make some changes to my ideation. I decided to work only with the characteristics of the Roman alphabet and Hangeul(Korean Alphabet).



Fig 1.1.7 Task 3 initial elements of uppercases and numbers (13/06/2023)



Fig 1.1.8 
Task 3 initial elements of lowercases (13/06/2023)

A circular-shaped decoration was added on top of the stem and the sharp-ending edges of every stroke were added to express the characteristic of the Korean alphabet. Two different sizes of circles were used to achieve a consistent thickness on each letterform. Two circles used for measuring gap for uppercases and numbers while only one little circle is used for lowercases.




Fig 1.1.9 Task 3 progress (13/06/2023)



Fig 1.2.1 Task 3 progress (15/06/2023)




Fig 1.2.2 Task 3 progress (16/06/2023)




Fig 1.2.3 Task 3 progress (16/06/2023)


While working on my uppercase letters, I realized that some strokes of the letters are still inconsistent, and it ruins the balance of entire letterforms.




Fig 1.2.4 Task 3 progress (19/06/2023)



Fig 1.2.5 Task 3 progress (20/06/2023)


2nd attempt

Progress


Fig 1.2.6 Task 3 2nd attempt uppercase progress (21/06/2023)

According to the feedback I received from Mr.Vinod, the circular-shaped decoration was switched to the flattened style to present a more well-balanced looking.





Fig 1.2.7 
Task 3 2nd attempt fundamental shapes (21/06/2023)




Fig 1.2.8 
Task 3 2nd attempt uppercase progress (21/06/2023)



Fig 1.2.9 
Task 3 2nd attempt uppercase progress (21/06/2023)




Fig 1.3.1 Task 3 2nd attempt lowercase progress (22/06/2023)

The lowercase letters "f" and "g" were quite challenging to design compared to other letters.




Fig 1.3.2 Task 3 2nd attempt numbers progress (23/06/2023)




Fig 1.3.3 Task 3 2nd attempt lowercase progress (27/06/2023)



Fig 1.3.4 
Task 3 2nd attempt punctuation mark progress (27/06/2023)






Fig 1.3.5 
Task 3 2nd attempt progress (30/06/2023)

While working on editing individual letters, I noticed that the lowercase letter "a" is a bit leaning toward in comparison with those existing letterforms.





Fig 1.3.6 Task 3 2nd attempt progress (30/06/2023)

There were several letters had issues, for example, the uppercase letter "B" was smaller compared to other uppercases.




Fig 1.3.7 Task 3 2nd attempt progress (30/06/2023)

Vice versa for "E", the letter "E" was slightly wider than it was supposed to be. Also, the circular negative spaces of some letters were filled up when transferred to Fontlab from Illustrator, so I had to recreate those letters.


Fig 1.3.8 Task 3 final letterforms (30/06/2023)


Kerning


Fig 1.3.9 
Task 3 2nd attempt kerning progress (30/06/2023)




Fig 1.4.1 Task 3 2nd attempt kerning progress (30/06/2023)


Kerning took a lot of time than I anticipated. I kerned the typeface with pangrams and 3000 most used English words in writing. Also, it was tested with 3 different languages using Roman alphabets: English, Malay and Filipino to check the spacing between letters in the most possible letter compositions.





Fig 1.4.2 
Task 3 2nd attempt kerning progress (30/06/2023)


Moreover, there were some letters that I had to adjust the ligatures.



Fig 1.4.3 
Task 3 Final letterforms, ROKO (05/07/2023)


Emphasizing on the concept applied to the letterforms, the typeface is named "ROKO", "RO" from Roman and "KO" from Korean.


Presentation



Fig 1.4.4 
Task 3 presentation colour palette (05/07/2023)

The colours (blue: 0047A0, red: #CD2E3A, black: #000000, white: #FFFFFF) for presentation to show the identity and style of the typeface, Roko were derived from the Korean national flag.





Fig 1.4.5 
Task 3 presentation progress (05/07/2023)




Fig 1.4.6 Task 3 presentation progress (06/07/2023)




Fig 1.4.7 Task 3 presentation progress (07/07/2023)



The presentation was intended to be designed to give a neat impression with high contrast of colours.


Application

Sketch



Fig 1.4.8 
Task 3 application progress (03/07/2023)

The colours (blue: 0047A0, red: #CD2E3A, black: #000000, white: #FFFFFF) used in the presentation will be applied for applications as well. Due to the nature of the typeface, it seems to be more suitable to be used for titles or short sentences rather than used for heavy body text. Also, since the typeface has characteristics of Korean alphabets, it would be applicable to be utilized on a brochure for foreign tourists in Korea.

Progress



Fig 1.4.9 Task 3 application progress (03/07/2023)





Fig 1.5.1 Task 3 application progress (04/07/2023)


I've received feedback about the application I created that it's barely presenting the typeface, and the other elements are taking too much attention. The application has to be heavily typeface oriented. Thus, I had to recreate my application.

Image Resources:

Gyeongbokgung

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/918030705270908682/


Bukchon

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/721350065338195682/


Namsan

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/728527677235183125/


Everland

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/52213676909291706/


Chunggyecheon

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/373306256613582747/


Dongdaemun market

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/131097039129223344/


Seokchon Lake

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/665899494925947658/


Myeongdong Cathedral

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/820218150911135808/


Kimchi Stew

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/187884615696854665/


Naengmyeon

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/510666045260702062/


Tteokbokki

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/79376012175920121/


Patbingsu

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/94223817179147184/


Jjajangmyeon

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/263671753177115170/


Sikhye

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3096293486783869/


Seoul Park

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/548876273326688105/



Application (2nd attempt)

Progress



Fig 1.5.2 Task 3 application progress (07/07/2023)

The colour palette and design direction remained consistent across all applications. I planned to create diverse compositions for the poster, notebook cover, shirt, and bag, aiming to promote Seoul City in Korea and attract foreign visitors.



Fig 1.5.3 Task 3 application, notebook cover progress (07/07/2023)




Final Submission

Typeface Download link




Presentation (JPG)



Fig 1.5.4 Task 3 final presentation slide page 1 (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.5.5 Task 3 final presentation slide page 2 (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.5.6 Task 3 final presentation slide page 3 (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.5.7 Task 3 final presentation slide page 4 (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.5.8 Task 3 final presentation slide page 5 (07/07/2023)


Fig 1.5.9 Task 3 final presentation slide page 6 (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.6.1 Task 3 final presentation slide page 7 (07/07/2023)

Presentation (PDF)



Fig 1.6.2 Task 3 final presentation slide  (07/07/2023)


Application (JPG)




Fig 1.6.3 Task 3 final application poster 1  (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.6.4 Task 3 final application poster 2  (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.6.5 
Task 3 final application notebook cover  (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.6.6 Task 3 final application bag  (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.6.7 Task 3 final application shirt  (07/07/2023)


Application (PDF)



Fig 1.6.8 Task 3 final application (07/07/2023)


Mockup (JPG)



Fig 1.6.9 Task 3 final application poster 1 mockup (07/07/2023)




Fig 1.7.1 Task 3 final application poster 2 mockup (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.7.2 Task 3 final application notebook cover mockup (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.7.3 Task 3 final application bag mockup (07/07/2023)



Fig 1.7.4 Task 3 final application shirt mockup (07/07/2023)

Mockup (PDF)



Fig 1.7.5 Task 3 final application mockups (07/07/2023)

Mockup Resources


FEEDBACK

Week 10 (07/06/2023)

General feedback:

-1000px artwork to create a typeface

-Knowing how to present your work is very essential. 

-Work on the upper case first and then the lower case.


Specific feedback:

-Keep the same width for every letterform (Monospace)

-The letterform has to be bold and consistent and sans-serif.

-Or the current letterform has to be thicker.


Week 11 (14/06/2023)



Fig 1.7.6 Week 11 feedback (14/06/2023)

-The letter J is too long


Consistency

  • C & O
  • P & R
  • I
  • J

-Keep the same thickness, proportion and direction of the letterforms.

-Keep the same characteristic on all letterforms.

-Do not be afraid of changing the idea, if the original idea is not working well.



Week 12 (21/06/2023)

- The circular shape makes the entire letterforms look unbalanced and unorganized.

- The letterforms are not visually appealing.


Fig 1.7.7 Week 12 feedback (21/06/2023)

- Lowercases are too mall. Lowercases have to be the 2/3 size of the uppercase letter "B" like the image above.



Fig 1.7.8 Week 12 feedback
 (21/06/2023)

- When designing the uppercase letter “M”, reference an existing letterform since the thickness of each stem is not equivalent. The same goes for “X”, “Y”, etc. 


Week 13 (28/06/2023)
Missed the opportunity to receive feedback because I didn't know about the feedback post in the Advanced Typography Group on Facebook.

Week 14 (05/07/2023)
The lowercase letter "q" has to be readjusted. 
The letters are not visible on the current application design, the letterforms have to be the major part of the application.


REFLECTION

Experience

Working on Task 3 was a simultaneously enjoyable, beneficial, and challenging experience. The final project required creating a complete set of typefaces along with applications and a presentation. The idea of creating my own typeface was exciting. However, designing a typeface from scratch was tough. Throughout the entire process, I constantly questioned whether I was on the right track. There were some moments when I had to make decisions. For example, I had to make adjustments to my ideas as I progressed, and I even had to start over with both the uppercase and lowercase characters since my initial outcome appeared disorganized and lacked visual appeal. Furthermore, a significant amount of time was spent crafting my first application (a brochure), and I realized that it did not meet the criteria for the task. As a result, I had to completely redesign the application as well. Task 3 challenged my time-management skills and critical thinking skills.


Observation

I noticed that creating a typeface demands a lot of knowledge and time. The most challenging aspect for me was maintaining consistency across all letters and punctuation marks. Additionally, kerning consumed more time during the process than I had anticipated. As I worked on the presentation for my typeface, I also discovered that a typeface has the potential to express its identity beyond visual appeal. It almost felt like a typeface has its own distinctive personality and ambiance.


Findings

As I mentioned above, kerning was one of the most challenging parts of creating a typeface. I found it difficult to determine the ideal spacing between letters. Furthermore, I noticed that the issue of kerning has continued not only in this specific task but also throughout all my typography projects since my first term in design school. Consequently, I believe that I require continuous study and practice in kerning.



FURTHER READING





Fig 1.7.9 The Vignelli Canon by Massimo Vignelli 
(07/06/2023)


Week 10 (pages 26 - 27 )

Intellectual Elegance
Intellectual elegance means a noble level of intelligence that can be found in all kinds of masterpieces in the history of mankind (e.g. Greek statues). Intellectual elegance helps us to find the best solution for everything. Intellectual elegance also reflects civic consciousness, social responsibility, decency and a way of conceiving design.


Week 11 (pages 28 - 29 )

Timelessness
The designer has to commit to designs that are timeless and transcends subjectivity.
The use of primary shapes and colours is always popular because their formal value is timeless.
Do not seek only visual titillation.


Week 12 (pages 30 - 31 )

Responsibility
Responsibility in design includes a form of economic awareness beyond a lavish manner to satisfy the designers or clients. Responsibility in design may be overlooked, but it is an important form of discipline. There are three levels of responsibility to designers, clients and the public.

Week 13 (pages 32 - 33 )

Equity
Recreating an existing logo with a desire for change could not be a good way to go.
When a logo is exposed to the public for a long period of time, it will be seared in people's memory and the logo itself becomes an equity.

Week 14 (pages 36 - 37 )

Paper Sizes
Two basic paper size systems:
International and American

The choice of paper size is important.

It involves with economy and production process. Also, the size of the paper itself carries a message in some cases.








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