Advanced Typography / Task 3: Type Exploration and Application

06.06.2022 - 27.06.2022 (Week 10 - Week 14)

Audrey Gracia Djohari / 0348120
Advanced Typography
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University
Task 3: Type Exploration and Application (Final Project)

JUMP LINKS

INSTRUCTION

TASK 3

- Task 3: Final Project

Instruction

Develop a font that is intended to solve a larger problem or meant to be part of a solution in the area of your interest be it graphic design, animation, new media or entertainment design or any other related area not necessarily reflecting your specialization.

or

Explore the use of a typeface in your area of interest, understand its existing relationship, identify areas that could be improved upon, and explore possible solutions or combinations that may add value to the existing typeface.

Proposal

Figure 1.0: Proposal Slides, 30.06.2022

Chosen Project: Sundanese script-inspired typeface

Sundanese script is a writing system which is used by the Sundanese people in Indonesia. It is built based on an old Sundanese script which was used by the ancient Sundanese between the 14th and 18th centuries.

I would like to make a new alphabet typeface inspired by the nuances and shapes of the sundanese script.

Figure 1.1: Chosen Proposal, 30.06.2022

Research

As part of my research, I came back to the Sundanese language lesson that I had back in high school. I really found Sundanese as a beautiful language. The scripts are so beautiful, I really wish people in my city use them more.

However, not many people understand and can read the original script. So I think making the alphabet typeface version that has the style and the nuances of the original script can be helpful to preserve and introduce the Aksara Sunda to the public eye.

Figure 1.2: Aksara Sunda Guide

Figure 1.3: Aksara Sunda Script

I also did some research of the existing Sundanese-inspired typeface. However, I notice there are only a few of them.

Figure 1.4: Some of the existing Sundanese-inspired typeface

Process

I applied the method from Type & Play exercise for this project. I traced some shapes from the original script and try to get their curves and uniqueness. It was actually my favorite exercise when I created the letterform inspired by a Moroccan building. And to be able to recreate it in a Sundanese style really was fun.

Figure 1.5: Traced strokes from the original script, 21.06.2022

Figure 1.6: Progress, 21.06.2022

Font Dimensions

X-height: 500 pt
Cap height: 693 pt
Descender: -250 pt

Figure 1.7: Font Dimension, 25.06.2022

Figure 1.8: FontForge Process, 25.06.2022

Figure 1.9: FontForge Lab Process, 25.06.2022

Figure 1.10: FontForge Process, 25.06.2022

Application

The main reason I created Aksara typeface is for preservation of the Sundanese script as well as to introduce the nuances and style of the Sunda culture to the public through type design. So actually, this typeface can be used for everything that relates with Sundanese culture, it can be posters, merchandise, prints, logos for sundanese restaurant, and many more. However, i still want to make it modern so it can reach the young generation as well. Here are some mock-ups that i designed using Aksara typeface.

Application #1: Merchandise

Sundanese is a Malayo-Polynesian language spoken by about 39 million people mainly in western Java in Indonesia. There are also speakers in Banten, Jakarta, parts of western Central Java and southern Lampung. It is the third most-spoken language in Indonesia. Many cities in this region are tourist cities. Tourist from all over Indonesia as well as overseas can be found strolling around. I notice that there are many souvenir shops that sell merch such as totebags, pins, etc. And I think Aksara typeface can be used for creating aesthetically pleasing merchandise that represent Sundanese which can be bought by tourists.

Figure 2.0: Application #1, Totebag, 26.06.2022

Application #2: Prints

There are also many businesses such as hotels and villas that have "Sundanese" design. I think this typeface can be popular among these businesses as their typeface for prints. They can use it on envelopes, graphic posters, cards that promote their business. Below, I created envelope and business card for The Sunda Hotel. I also designed a poster titled "Bandung", which is a city that becomes Sundanese' people icon. Besides the typeface, I used the strokes from the original script as complementary design elements.

Figure 2.1: Application #2, Prints, 27.06.2022

Application #3: Album Cover

In modern Indonesian entertainment industry, there are large numbers of Sundanese artists that has become Indonesia's most famous singers, musicians, composers, cinema directors, film and sinetron actors. I created this album cover using Aksara typeface. The song in this album was written by one of the most legendary Sundanese artist: Pidi Baiq. It is titled "Dan, Bandung" and I think the lyrics are incredible.

Figure 2.2: Application #3, Album Cover, 27.06.2022

Final Outcome

I would like to make a new alphabet typeface inspired by the nuances and shapes of the sundanese script. The main reason is for the preservation of the Sundanese script as well as to introduce the nuances and style of the Sunda culture to the public through type design.

Aksara Font Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lP1bH5tJMKN9ByqeIJU9rXAFUaLNqQx0?usp=sharing

Figure 3.0: 'Aksara', Font Download, 25.06.2022

Figure 3.1: 'Aksara', Final Type Design, 25.06.2022

Figure 3.2: 'Aksara', Final Type Design Poster, 26.06.2022

Figure 3.3: 'Aksara', Application, 26.06.2022

Figure 3.4: 'Aksara' Final Submission, 27.06.2022

FEEDBACK

WEEK 10:

Specific Feedback

(Final Project Proposal) Mr. Vinod said that he liked my third proposal which is the Sundanese script-inspired typeface. He said it will be a better project compared to the other two. However, make sure that I create it differently because there's a senior who has also done the same project. He said that the image I provided looks simplified, and better to add more curves when designing my typeface. He also told me to learn how to read Aksara Sunda first before I did the design.

General Feedback

(Final Project Proposal) Better to rush our progression to 100% by next week because Mr. Vinod would be able to give better feedback when he sees our finished work.

WEEK 12:

General Feedback
Finish the work faster and complete the full set.

WEEK 13:

General Feedback
(Final Project) Focus more on showcasing the type rather than the images. And make sure the application is suitable for your work.

REFLECTION
Experience

This project felt a bit rushed compared to other ones. I had difficulties managing my time and juggling to finish other projects from Interactive Design and Research Methodology. I would really love to get extra time to finish mine so it doesn't seem rushed. But overall, the experience was quite fun, I get to go back to my Sundanese Language lesson which I had back in high school, and make a typeface out of the scripts.

Observation

At first, I was not sure of what to create because what Mr. Vinod asked us to do was very vast and all students had different outcomes. But after diving deeper and doing this project, I actually think this task is very interesting and brilliantly designed. Being able to observe what lacks and what needs to be better is a skill all designer needs and this exercise pushes us to do just that. Researching for this project alone gave me so much insight into how important typeface design is, it is applied in so many things in our lives.

Findings

I found that to be a great designer I need to always look around and pay attention. Find what can be better designed and that would open my eyes to so many things not only typeface. I also believe I still have many mistakes with my typeface even though I'm way better now compared to semester 1. I hope I will keep improving.

Audrey Gracia Djohari (0348120)

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