Finding Out How Type Works

Type is all around, it is in our everyday lives; from the ingredients of our breakfast cereals, the roadsigns that direct us and even on the cards we use to prove our identity. ‘Professionals in all trades, whether they be dentists, carpenters or nuclear scientists, communicate in languages that seem secretive and incomprehensive to outsiders; type designers are no exception’ (Spiekermann and Ginger, 2003). This backs up my initial thoughts on how influential type is and the power it holds over people- no one wants to read an exciting headline in a magazine with comic sans font. They want a typeface that matches the power of the headline, something that sticks out and catches your eye. 

With type, there is so much more than meets the eye. Designers spend hours, days, even weeks, developing and perfecting original typefaces for a range of mediums. To the untrained eye, typefaces are just a tool used to write word documents and emails. To designers, typefaces are so much more. They open up a window to numerous possibilities. Theres so much you can do with type – manipulation, altering, skewing – the list is endless. I have created my unique typeface based on a geometric style, and therefore I don’t want it to be classed as just another piece of type. I want it to be seen as a work of art. A unique take on a font. The stylistic choice I made of using two thin lines to accentuate the main features of each letter makes my typeface stand out, and different to the bog standard style you see in every day life.

 

 

 

 

My Geometric Typeface

I created my own geometric typeface on Illustrator. Using grids, the pen tools and skills I learnt in my workshops I was able to create a very basic font. I think my typeface is quite unique as it all leans to one side using very thin, straight lines. As the design is in a basic format, I aim to develop the style to create a more visually appealing piece of work, that can be used on multiple platforms.

Geometric Typeface

Geometric Type

So I started off by searching the internet, looking at different geometric type faces, seeking inspiration from different designers. I found Pinterest was a very good starting position, as it has hundreds of type faces to explore and experiment with. I made my own Pinterest account so I could save the type faces I liked. This really helped when deciding what type face I wanted to create as I had plenty of great fonts too gather inspiration from.

Getting Started

For this brief, I took to the internet to research some ideas and to get some inspiration on different typefaces I could try and create. First of all I looked at digitally drawing a font. I really liked the look of geometrical fonts with bold straight lines, all symmetrical and visually interesting. Looking on Pinterest, blogs and in books, I think this would be a really good starting point and a great way to experiment with ideas.

Geometric shapes, drawings, tattoos and fonts have interested me ever since I opened my eyes up to the world of design. This is why I think making my own geometric font would be extremely fun and interesting. Although it will be quite challenging, making sure all the measurements are spot on and that the letters are symmetrical. As well as making it look attractive to the viewer.