Advanced Typography // Task 3

 03/05/2023 - 31/06/2023 // Week 9 - Week 13

Hasnol Rafiq Bin Hasnol Raduan / 0356767
Advanced typography / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's Design School

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INSTRUCTIONS

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TASK 3

In this task, we will explore the use of an existing letterform in an area of interest, understanding its existing relationship, identifying areas that could be improved upon. We will also explore possible solutions or combinations that may add value to the existing letterform/lettering. The end result will be a complete generated font (.ttf) with applications.

 

RESEARCH, IDEATION AND SKETCHES

In Monster Hunter, the player assumes the role of a Hunter and travels to different environments to either kill or capture large monsters for the sake of completing quests given to them by locals; some of these quests require the Hunter to collect a specific item or items, which in turn puts the Hunter in danger of encountering other monsters. Monster Hunter's present font is uneven and fails to convey the game's exotic setting or thrilling gameplay. The symbols and title of the game are made out of sharply angled, strong lettering. The design is reminiscent of fantasy works, with spikes, claws, and serrated edges used to create an impression of danger and excitement. The idea is to make styled letters that stand out and are consistent with the game's logo to increase player immersion and provide a smooth experience.

Figure 1 - Font Inconsistency #1 (10/06/2023)

While the inconsistent typefaces won't necessarily ruin Monster Hunter for players, they will make it harder to get engaged the game and may even be irritating to certain players. Fans and gamers of this massively successful series may be concerned that the lack of consistency reflects carelessness on the part of the creators. The proposed typeface will not only improve the game's visuals but also provide players with a sense of continuity and immersion.

Figure - Font Inconsistency #2

 (10/06/2023)

The fantastic world-building and engrossing adventures in Monster Hunter have kept me interested for a long time, but the inconsistent letterforms across various versions of the game have always been a distraction.  This side-by-side comparison of two versions of the game demonstrates the game's extremely mechanical typography and user interface (UI). The typeface would be created such that it seems natural and complements the angular style. If done, the game's letterform would be instantly recognizable and the game's aesthetic would be finished. 

FONT RESEARCH

Figure - Font Research #1

 (15/06/2023) 

I need to fully engage myself in the intricate and meaningful world of Monster Hunter. The game is filled with emblems and insignias that represent the various guilds, species of monsters, and cultural aspects found in the game world. When we study these symbols, we can learn a lot about the visual language that is used in Monster Hunter. It gives us valuable insights into how the game is designed and portrayed visually. I choose specific design elements that capture the essence of Monster Hunter from the wide range of symbols available to us. Some possible motifs for the design could be dragon scales, monster silhouettes, weapon shapes, or tribal patterns. The goal is to combine these elements into a unified typographic design that respects the game's visual style.

Figure - Font Research #2 (15/06/2023)

The bestiary in Monster Hunter is filled with amazing monster icons that are visually stunning. Each one is carefully designed to capture the unique features of every creature. It's a treasure trove of incredible artwork. The icons really capture the essence of the game's huge ecosystem. They showcase the power, mystery, and variety of the monsters beautifully. By embracing this symbolic language, we can draw from the potential to create a truly captivating typographic experience. I carefully examine their shapes, outlines, textures, and unique characteristics. When I break down these elements, I am creating the basis for a font that truly captures the essence of these mythical creatures.

Designing Font

Figure - Font Inspiration/Reference (18/06/2023)

The fonts Chokokutai Regular and ZCool Regular were selected as inspiration because of their jagged and bendy elements. The typeface aims to capture the thrill by using jagged edges that remind us of the heart-pounding moments in intense battles. I want to create angular shapes, uneven lines, and jagged edges in my lettering. I want each letter to capture the intense energy and urgency of the hunt. I find that the jagged fonts used in Monster Hunter really capture the intense and fierce nature of the game. But I also draw inspiration from the game's vast and beautiful landscapes, peaceful environments, and the intricate and stylish armor designs. Straight bend fonts give us the ability to add a hint of elegance and harmony to the typeface. 

Figure - Font Attempt #1 (18/06/2023)

When I started working on my font design, I wanted to capture the same jagged edges found in the icons and emblems of Monster Hunter's bestiary. To achieve this, I focused on using only jagged edges and avoiding any curved bends. I wanted to capture the intimidating presence of the monsters and the strong, sharp features that were a defining aspect of the game's visual style. In order to make the creatures appear even more fierce, I decided to incorporate sharp fangs into certain letters. This was done to mimic the intimidating claws and teeth that are characteristic of these monsters. As I continued working on my first attempt, I faced a major obstacle: there were inconsistencies in the font design. Although the idea of using jagged edges and sharp fangs for the letters seemed promising, it turned out to be challenging to keep them consistent and cohesive throughout. I had trouble creating smooth transitions between the letterforms because there weren't any curved bends. This made the font look unbalanced and hard to read. I realised that the way I initially approached the design of Monster Hunter's UI didn't match the overall look and user-friendliness that was expected.

Figure - Font Attempt #2 (20/06/2023)

In my second attempt, I tried to find a middle ground between sharp angles and smooth curves. I took inspiration from the icons and emblems found in Monster Hunter's bestiary. I wanted to give the font a captivating essence inspired by the game, while still keeping a mechanical and practical look. I wanted to combine these elements to make a design that fans would really connect with and that would fit perfectly into the game's user interface. As I continued, I faced a tough challenge - the tricky job of bringing together different design elements that were quite different from each other. Finding the right balance between jagged edges and curved bends was a challenging task. Even though they tried to keep a mechanical appearance, the font ended up looking messy and visually disorganized. I find the idea of adding sharp fangs to certain letters quite interesting, but it also made things more complicated and disrupted the overall flow. When these elements were put together, it ended up being too much and not visually pleasing. The font's sharp fangs, inspired by the game's monsters, made it look cluttered and disjointed.

Figure - Font Grid (24/06/2023)

During my third attempt at designing fonts, I decided to follow the advice of creating a grid. This grid would act as a structured framework for building my typeface. I used a grid that reminded me of the number 8 to create a consistent structure for each letter. This helped me maintain a sense of harmony and cohesion in the font. The grid became like a guide, showing the way to create each letter of the typeface. I made sure to follow the grid's rules when working on the design. This involved removing specific strokes while also carefully aligning the letterforms to ensure they were still easy to read and visually pleasing. This approach created a feeling of consistency and visual harmony.

Figure - Font Strokes (25/06/2023)

I used this carefully designed grid to help me make sure that the font I was creating had perfect alignment and consistent proportions. By basing my design on this organized framework, I created a typeface that seamlessly fits into the vibrant visual world of Monster Hunter. Using the grid as a tool, I took great care in crafting each letter, making sure to focus on proportions, angles, and symmetry. The grid was like a visual blueprint that helped with placing strokes and spacing letters accurately. It made sure that every letter fit seamlessly into the immersive world of the game. When I set out to design a typeface inspired by Monster Hunter, I found that the grid played a crucial role in striking the right balance between staying true to the game's aesthetic and ensuring legibility. I made sure to align the letterforms to the grid, which helped me maintain the visual style of the game while also making sure the text is easy to read.

Figure - Font Shapes (25/06/2023)

Deciding on the right stroke thickness involves finding a balance between making a strong visual statement and ensuring that the text remains easy to read. When I dive into the world of Monster Hunter, it's important to find a balance between captivating visuals and making sure our text is easy to read. If the letters are too thin, they might not have a strong presence or impact. On the other hand, if they are too thick, they could become difficult to read. By carefully going through multiple iterations and paying close attention to every little detail, I have managed to find the ideal stroke thickness that perfectly captures the essence of the Monster Hunter-inspired typeface. The game's aesthetic is seamlessly captured, captivating the viewer with its visually stunning impact and making it easy to read. The letters in this text capture the essence of Monster Hunter, creating a typographic experience that truly honours the game's captivating world.

Figure - Preparing Font Forge

 (25/06/2023)

Font Forge is a powerful font editor that is available for free. It allows designers to create detailed and unique typefaces. I believe that its accessibility and abundance of features make it the perfect choice for my font. When I want to smoothly transfer the carefully designed letters from Adobe Illustrator to Font Forge, I faced a challenge. This challenge requires me to separate each letter and character onto their own artboard.

        

Figure - Font Forge (25/06/2023)

Font Forge allows to enhance and improve our typeface with great accuracy and careful attention to every little detail. I used the software's easy-to-use interface to navigate through it and make the letterforms even better by using its editing tools. I make adjustments to curves, optimise spacing, fine-tune stroke thickness, and create ligatures and special characters. Font Forge has a wide range of features that helps create the exact visual effect I want and make sure it fits perfectly into the immersive world of the game. After refining the Monster Hunter-inspired typeface to perfection using Font Forge, the crucial steps of testing and exporting it has to be done. I make sure to test our designs thoroughly at various sizes and in different contexts to ensure that they are easy to read and understand. After I am happy with the typeface, I can export it in different formats. This makes it easy to use in the design projects and share it with other people who love the game as much as me.

Here is the font file: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10zSOpqk-ZIs90yG4GC1txR_YVIkDhvFe?usp=sharing

APPICATION AND PRESENTATION OF FONT 

Figure - Font In Game UI (02/07/2023)

I use Photoshop to replace the existing text in menus, buttons, and informational displays with the typeface. This helps maintain a cohesive and visually appealing design within the Monster Hunter UI. I want to make the game even more exciting and immersive by using the font in the game's user interface. It will give players a sense of adventure and awe, making their overall experience even better. When typography is seamlessly integrated, it becomes a crucial part of the game's visual storytelling, enhancing the emotional connection between players and the game world.

Figure - Font Poster (02/07/2023)

When I use my Monster Hunter-inspired typeface to create a poster, it brings the game's captivating universe to life in a visually stunning and immersive way. I have the ability to tell a compelling story through typography, capturing the very essence of Monster Hunter and captivating those who see it. 

Figure - Font Presentation (02/07/2023)

My type specimens showcase the font in a unique way by skillfully manipulating it to resemble a wyvern, which is one of the iconic creatures in the Monster Hunter franchise. The letter, and the wyvern shape all come together to create a captivating effect that really draws me into the world of Monster Hunter. When I use the terminology and phrases from Monster Hunter, it helps me connect with fans and create a sense of familiarity that they can relate to. The words I used in this context not only show that the font is easy to read, but also help create a cohesive and immersive experience with the samples.

FINAL DESIGN

Final Font Download: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10zSOpqk-ZIs90yG4GC1txR_YVIkDhvFe?usp=sharing

Figure - Final Font Applications

Figure - Final Font Presentations

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FEEDBACK

Week 9

Specific Feedback: My instagram layout utlisies the colour pallette very well. Theres a very clear theme and direction that the instagram had. My post that includes my face should relate to the theme or at the very least be a proper picture. My proposal didn't have a strong understanding of what experimental meant

Week 10 

Specific Feedback: My rationale for task 3 is very sound and theres a clear direction. I should start by research and studying different fonts before constructing.

Week 11: 

Specific Feedback: My letterface had alot of inconsistency due to the fact that I designed them using shapes instead of the pen tool. I was advised to design a grid and utilise strokes.

Week 12: 

Specific Feedback: My letterface has improved but I struggled with designing the letterface with a grid. I was given a new grid to tryout a new style for my letterface.

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REFLECTION

Experience

While working on my Monster Hunter font for this assignment, I went through a range of emotions including excitement, satisfaction, and facing various challenges. It was really nice to have the freedom to choose my own project and design something that I truly enjoyed. It felt like a breath of fresh air. I'm really happy with how everything turned out. It's exactly what I had in mind from the beginning. A great advantage of this task is that I can now use this new type design in my future projects. Adding a unique touch to my portfolio not only showcases my creativity but also highlights my versatility as a designer. I'm amazed at how I was able to incorporate the artwork I made over the previous semester break into a university project. Using a variety of skills and resources in different areas is both effective and satisfying.

Observations

Generating the font in FontForge and managing my time effectively were the most challenging aspects of this task. As the deadline got closer, I felt like I was in a race against time. I had to prioritise finishing the task over paying attention to small details like kerning,. I was surprised to find myself struggling with time management, especially since I've always been able to handle my typography projects well in the past. 

Findings

Creating the Monster Hunter font was an incredible journey filled with excitement, satisfaction, and a fair share of challenges. Having the freedom to choose my own project enabled me to create something that I genuinely enjoyed. Although I faced challenges with time constraints and FontForge, I am excited to use this font in my future projects and apply the knowledge gained from this experience to enhance my typographic abilities.

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FURTHER READING

Figure - The Elements of Typographic Style Robert Bringhurst 1992

I had the wonderful opportunity to delve into Robert Bringhurst's incredible masterpiece, "The Elements of Typographic Style," which was originally published in 1992. This book is a must-have reference guide that thoroughly explores the principles and practises of typography. It is an invaluable resource for designers, typographers, and anyone who loves the art of typography. One thing that makes Bringhurst's book really great is how he highlights typography as more than just a practical tool, but as a true art form. He believes that typography should be seen as an art form and wants designers to not only think about the practical side of it, but also the creative possibilities that type can offer. Bringhurst's exploration of the relationship between form and meaning elevates typography to a higher level. He emphasises the important role it plays as a powerful tool for visual communication. Bringhurst explores the intricacies of choosing typefaces, covering different categories and when they should be used. In addition, he shares valuable knowledge about the art of typographic composition. He gives helpful advice on how to create a visually pleasing and balanced design that is easy to read.