Advanced Typography - Task 3: Type Exploration and Application
Lim Wei Xian / 0342559
Typography / Bachelor's of Mass Communication (HONS) (Advertising and Brand Management) / Taylor's University
Task 3: Type Exploration and Application
LECTURES
All lecture notes can be found in Task 1's blog:
INSTRUCTIONS
Task 3: Type Exploration and Application
For this task, I've decided to work on creating a font that is intended to solve a larger problem. The end result would see me completing a typeface, along with applications.
I would have to complete the following:
A - Z (Upper and Lower case)
0 - 9
`~!@#$%^&*()_-+=\|}{[]:;”’<,>.?/
(Total of 32 punctuations/ symbols, but choose half of it and do)
Research
Below will be my project proposal slides in PDF. In the end, I chose to work on a spooky/ horror typeface for Eminem's "Music To Be Murdered By" album cover.
I went onto the Internet to get some inspiration for spooky fonts/ halloween inspired typefaces. One thing that I've observed is the irregular and bumpy shapes that makes these typefaces scary looking.
Figure 1.1 Different types of spooky/ scary typefaces
Problem and Solution
Problem: Various typefaces in the album cover may seem messy and all over the place
Solution:
Creating a spooky/ horror typeface inspired by this album title by Eminem
Applying the complete typeface onto this album cover
Sketches
Figure 1.2 Sketch #1
Figure 1.3 Sketch #2
Progress
Figure 2.1 Using the letters 'T', 'y', 'd' as a guideline for the ascender, cap height, median, baseline, and descender
Figure 2.2 Creating and adjusting the nodes to create a bumpy and uneven shape
Figure 2.3 Using the same shape for each construction of the letter 'A'
The bumpiness identity of the strokes would then be applied to all letters, numbers, punctuations and symbols.
Figure 2.4 Constructing the letter 'B'
Figure 2.5 Adjusting the nodes and shapes of the counter space
Figure 2.6 Constructing the letter 'C'
Figure 2.7 Cutting the same strokes for the letter 'E'
Figure 2.8 Having the same bumpiness of the shapes for the letter 'J', as well as giving the letter a pointy finish to have a scary impression
Figure 2.9 Yet again, adjusting the nodes to create the bumpy nature of the typeface
Below will be my first attempt on the capital letters.
Figure 2.9 First attempt on the capital letters
After receiving feedback from Mr. Vinod, he suggested to thicker the strokes of the letters. He also mentioned a few things to keep an eye on, like the counter space for 'B' and the stem for 'Y'.
Series of screenshots (work progression):
Figure 2.10 Using the same strokes/ patterns from the letters and applying it onto numbers
Figure 2.11 Number six: strokes from 'O' and 'g' (readjusted some nodes)
Figure 2.12 Removing excess nodes
Figure 2.13 '9' is just an upside-down '6'
Figure 2.14 Curved stroke from 'J', combining it with the letter 'O'
Figure 2.15 Working on the letter 'j'. 'i' combined by the stroke of 'J'
Figure 2.16 All strokes with the same pattern
Figure 2.17 Upside-down 'U' combining with the straight stroke to make 'm'
Figure 2.18 Combining 'V' and the stroke to make 'y'
Punctuation/ Symbols
Figure 2.19 Size comparison of the period and the dot of 'i'. Period should be slightly larger than the dot of the letter 'i'
Figure 2.20 Creation of the comma
Figure 2.21 The upper strokes of '!' and '?' being on the same grid/ line
Figure 2.22 Using the letter 'a' and combining it with 'O'. Modified and cut out some strokes of the 'O' to create '@'
Figure 2.23 Guidelines to determine how long the stroke of the '$' should be
Figure 2.24 Using the letter 'T' as a guide to create the circumflex symbol
Figure 2.25 Cutting the number '0' into half, and using it as a base to create the brackets (realised the strokes of my number 0 can be modified into a bracket)
Completing the typeface
Name of typeface: Murdering Music
Figure 2.26 Showcasing 'Murdering Music'
Similar feedback by Mr. Vinod, my issue was the consistency of the weights of my strokes. Some letter just seem thinner than others, so I went back to thicken out the letters.
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Figure 2.27 After thickening the strokes for 'Murdering Music'
Figure 2.28 Transferring each character onto FontLab
Figure 2.29 One of the examples of slight readjustment and placement of letters in FontLab
Figure 2.30 All the characters of 'Murdering Music' in FontLab, as well as some kerning work for each character
Figure 2.31 Typed out the album name "MUSIC TO BE MURDERED BY" to have a better look at the kerning done.
Figure 2.32 More words, more attention to detail when kerning
Figure 2.33 Shifting the exclamation mark more towards to the left
Figure 2.34 More combination of letter, punctuations, symbols. Final few attempts on kerning.
Application
To solve my initial problem of creating a spooky typeface for Eminem's "MUSIC TO BE MURDERED BY" album, I've decided to apply the typeface onto a few collaterals:1. Album Cover
2. Concert Poster
3. Concert Ticket
4. Merchandise (Hoodie)
Album Cover
Figure 3.1 Original album cover of "MUSIC TO BE MURDERED BY"
Figure 3.2 Removing the original letters of the album
Figure 3.3 Using the same colour scheme for the letters
Figure 3.4 "Murdering Music" font applied onto the album
There was another version of the album too, so I figured to apply the typeface onto this alternative as well.
Figure 3.5 Original album cover of "MUSIC TO BE MURDERED BY" (Deluxe Edition)
Figure 3.6 After applying the font onto the album cover
Concert Poster
Figure 3.7 Using the "Murdering Music" typeface for the main information of the concert. Used a different typeface for the bottom right text.
Figure 3.8 Another angle of the poster
While doing some research on the rapper, Eminem, I figured I could do would represent him onto the concert ticket. As seen below, one of the Es in Eminem's logo is reflected
Figure 3.9 The Eminem logo has an 'E' being reflected
I then decide to type out the letter E with my typeface, creating an outline and then reflecting the letter 'E'
Figure 3.10 Reflecting the letter E to represent Eminem
Figure 3.12 Applying the "Murdering Music" Typeface onto the hoodie
Final Submission Task 3: Type Exploration and Application
Download link for the 'Murdering Music' typeface: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_SphpVWSZV8XFo8UJZVEwE54RvmgbsPN/view?usp=sharing
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Figure 4.1 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface (JPEG) 22/11/2022
Figure 4.2 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface - Application on Album Cover (JPEG) 22/11/2022
Figure 4.3 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface - Application on Album Cover Deluxe Edition (JPEG) 22/11/2022
Figure 4.4 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface - Application on Concert Poster (JPEG) 22/11/2022
Figure 4.5 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface - Application on Concert Poster (JPEG) 22/11/2022
Figure 4.6 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface - Application on Concert Ticket (JPEG) 22/11/2022
Figure 4.7 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface - Application on Concert Merchandise (Hoodie) (JPEG) 22/11/2022
Figure 4.8 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface (PDF) 22/11/2022
Figure 4.9 Final 'Murdering Music' Typeface - Applications (PDF) 22/11/2022
FEEDBACK
Week 11
General Feedback: Going into the right direction, but the thickness of the strokes can be thicker.
Specific Feedback:
1. The counter space of 'B' should be bigger.
2. Thickness of strokes for letters can be thicker, just like the letters 'B' and 'D'.
3. Stroke of 'S' should start and end thicker.
4. Upper strokes of 'X' should be higher.
5. Stem of 'Y' can be longer.
Week 12
General Feedback: Just the consistency issue with the weights of the strokes.
Specific Feedback:
1. Thicken out the strokes.
2. Start researching on the applications; Make the applications more exciting as if Eminem is having a concert.
3. Supporting details on collaterals might work better with other typefaces.
REFLECTION
Experience
My experience for this task was not the easiest, but in honesty, I enjoyed it. When starting this task, I was going through my original Typography blogs in the previous semester to refresh my mind. The little things, theories, and optical illusions of Typography were needed for this task, and the notes from the previous semester definitely made my life so much easier. While designing the typeface, I had a problem of having consistency in terms of the weights of my strokes. It went on for 2 - 3 weeks until I did a lot of trial and error with my typeface. I was also very cautious of the design style/ identity of my typeface, which was that "uneven" and "scary" strokes to provide that spooky vibe for the album cover that I was doing.
Observations
Researching was important for this task as well, and it definitely made me observe the patterns and styles typographers have for a "spooky" typeface. I had to keep in mind and influence myself with existing typefaces, and appropriate it according to my own style, as well as solving the problem of the album cover. Observing the kerning of letters and the legibility of the typeface was not an easy task to do, as it takes patience and time to get the best out of it. Even with that being said, the time spent on it was worth it.
Findings
When kerning the letters on FontLab, I've found out that the letter spacing of each letter needs to be carefully kerned. It takes up a lot of time, but in order to make the letters look right together, it needs to be done. The other finding that made my life easier was to type out some letters or sentences when kerning. It helped me observe and find any hiccups there is between letters, refining the letter spacing to be more precise.
FURTHER READING
Designing with Type, 5th Edition: The Essential Guide to Typography
by James Craig & Irene Korol Scala
Figure 5.1 Cover of "Designing with Type, 5th Edition: The Essential Guide to Typography"
Figure 5.2 Sans Serif and Serif, Small Caps, Modern and Old Style Figures, Ligatures, and Typefaces
Typeface is referred to as the specific design of an alphabet in this book. It is mentioned that the differences between typefaces are often subtle. Regardless of how subtle the difference, the typeface chosen will greatly impact the appearance of the entire print page.
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