Typography - Task 4: Final Compilation & Reflection

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 Name: Liong Xenyi (0383125)
Module: Typography (GCD60104)
Date: 14/7/2025 - 27/7/2025 (Week 13- Week 14)
Degree: Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media 
University: Taylor's University

Typography - Task 4: Final Compilation & Reflection
Instructions:

Task 1: Exercises
21/4/2025 - 23/5/2025 (Week 1- Week 5)

Exercise 1 - Type Expression
Fig 1.1 Final Type Expression

Fig 1.2 Final Type Expression PDF

Fig 1.3 Final Type Expression Gif


Exercise 2 - Text Formatting

Fig 1.4 Final Kerning Exercise


Fig 1.5 Final Kerning Exercise PDF

Fig 1.6 Final Text Formatting

Fig 1.7 Final Text Formatting with Grids

Fig 1.8 Final Text Formatting PDF

These are my Formatting Details:
HEAD LINE
Typeface: Janson Text LT Std
Font/s: 75 Bold
Type Size/s: 36 pt
Leading: 26 pt
Paragraph spacing: 0

SUB HEAD LINE
Typeface: Janson Text LT Std
Font/s: 76 Bold Italic
Type Size/s: 24 pt
Leading: 26 pt
Paragraph spacing: 0

BODY
Typeface: Janson Text LT Std
Font/s: 55 Roman
Type Size/s: 11 pt
Leading: 13 pt
Paragraph spacing: 13 pt
Characters per-line: 50-55
Alignment: left-aligned
Margins: 20 mm top, 10 mm left, 10 mm right, 20 mm bottom
Columns: 2
Gutter: 10 mm

Task 2: Typographic Exploration & Communication
26/5/2025 - 15/6/2025 (Week 6 - Week 8)

Fig 2.1 Final Task 2

Fig 2.2 Final Task 2 with Grids

Fig 2.3 Final Task 2 PDF

These are my Formatting Details:
HEAD LINE
Typeface: Bodoni Std, Serifa Std, Gill Sans Std
Font/s: Poster Compressed, 55 Roman, Bold Extra Condensed
Type Size/s: 125 pt, 80 pt, 230 pt
Leading: 60 pt, 50 pt, 132 pt
Paragraph spacing: 0

BODY
Typeface: Serifa Std
Font/s: 45 Light
Type Size/s: 10 pt
Leading: 13 pt
Paragraph spacing: 13 pt
Characters per-line: 50-60
Alignment: left justified
Margins: 12.7mm 
Columns: 2
Gutter: 5 mm

Task 3: Type Design and Communication
1/6/2025 - 15/7/2025 (Week 7- Week 13)

Download the Bluby font here

Fig 3.1 FontLab Side-bearings 1.0

Fig 3.2 FontLab Side-bearings 2.0

Fig 3.3 Final Type Construction

Fig 3.4 Final Type Construction

Measurements:
Ascender: 736 PT
Cap Line: 699
Median Line: 509 PT
Baseline: 0 PT
Descender: -229 PT

Fig 3.5 Final A4 Black and White Poster

Fig 3.6 Final A4 Black and White Poster

Reflection
Experience: 
For starters, there were many ups and downs during typography. It is a completely new subject for me: from learning about the history of fonts to creating one digitally. And not just the subject of typography that is new, but I need to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, which was painful at the start - it was a huge struggle for me to figure out how to get certain things in place, especially manipulating the pen tool in Illustrator. Even though I struggled a lot at the beginning of each task, I managed to stick through it and do the best I can. It was especially difficult for me during Task 1 - Type expression, where I didn't know how to capture a word in a simple design, and even more when I had to make a gif version of one word (tough but fulfilling once finished). It was also even more difficult when I had to do Task 3, when I had to write in different styles and digitising the font I made, because it is a bit more of a mundane and troublesome task to accomplish. In my opinion, I am not fond of typography, with it being a difficult and dry subject, and to be rather honest, the least enjoyable module out of the three design subjects this semester (the other two being Digital Photography and Illustration). However, I am glad I went through this process as I have a better understanding of typography and how it is essential for design and basically everything else in life, which plays a huge part in communication. I especially loved learning about kerning, as certain times, letters that are spaced too far or close annoys me. 

Observations: 
I observed that I struggled a lot during this module, which means that there is still a lot of areas to improve where typography is involved. I found it especially hard during Task 1 - Type Expression and Task 3 - Type Construction. Before learning this subject, I used to write different styled fonts for fun to keep my notes interesting and do basic typography for presentations or poster designs. However, I never went into a deep dive before, especially on the more tedious parts such as measurements and proper procedures to make good typography. For Task 1, I struggled in making a simple font design that is based on the meaning of the word, expressing it through the manipulation of the letter spacing or size, but not changing the font itself. It was difficult to try and stand out with a different design that is unique but not being too fanciful with elements. As for Task 3, I struggled with digitising the font, as making each individual letter was tedious and mundane, but at the same time, I am a perfectionist, so I needed every curve to be right before I could finalise it on FontLab, a truly remarkable combination. What I noticed though, is that I still struggle to maintain a consistent measurement throughout and should work on being precise with measurements. On the other hand, I realised that my strengths lies in being able to create more creative layouts or designs when I have the freedom to do so. I can brainstorm more ideas when I am allowed to design however I want, with lesser restrictions, because, I realised, that I will be trapped in the box when I am solely focusing on following the instructions. When doing Task 2, I managed to have more ideas on how to design the layout, but at the same time, too many ideas could be my downfall as I would end up struggle in choosing which idea I should go with. In Task 3, I enjoyed making a font that suits my personality and style more, rather than following a strategic norm of the alphabets. Even making this Final Compilation post, I realised that the tasks I did weren't so bad like it was in my mind before, that I should appreciate that I could do all of this and look forward to the future to improve further.


Findings:
To conclude this module, I definitely learned a lot in typography. I especially learned how to create a design that fits the meaning of the word and contents more, which gives the viewer a better understanding of the text with a first impression, while making it look simple and attractive. I also learned the technical parts of typography, like how to kern and track each letter in a word and words in a paragraph, how to strategically make a design layout with consistent measurements, and the anatomy of type. Learning how to make my own font is also fun. I learned that no matter how difficult the task is, I am still able to stick through it until the end, which is an achievement in itself. That I should always trust the process and finish any task with a final product. There are many areas where I should improve in, like having a more consistent design, and always finding new ways to have a better typography layout in my designs. I will practice on making more posters with just typography, understanding simple words and creating a basic design of them, and continue to apply the formatting skills I learned. To be better, I definitely need to do more practices with the skills I have learned, until it comes naturally to me. I will absolutely put my new knowledge of typography to use in future designs and projects. On a side-note, I am very glad I get to use a better software to enhance my typography.


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