How to create typefaces

How are typefaces designed? What is the process? Which characters are essential? What is the difference between roman, italic and cursive? What is OpenType? In How to create typefaces Cristóbal Henestrosa, Laura Meseguer and José Scaglione answer these and many other questions in a straightforward and direct way. This publication, aimed at new and novice type designers as well as those trained in the field, unravels the fascinating task of creating a font, from sketch to screen.

Content

Foreword by Gerry Leonidas
Motives
- The thinking that happens before even starting the process of creating a new typeface.
Writing, calligraphy, drawing and type designs
- On the similarities and differences between methods of writing, calligraphy, drawing, and type design; shared characteristics, common elements and considerations when sketching typographical characters.
Processes and methods
- On approaches to sketching, proportion and structure, consistency, optical correction, planning and workflow.
Digitisation
- On digitising the sketches, principles of drawing with digital outlines, fundamental and complementary characters, sequences and derivations.
Spacing
- On basic methods to control and adjust spacing: sidebearings and kerning, the importance of counterform, numerals and vertical spaces.
Typographic programme
- On series design and family variations – italics, weight and proportional variants, optical sizing, superfamilies and other ways of extending a typeface family.
Typography as software
- On the role of digital technology in typeface design, from the basics of formatting to the possibilities of Open Type features and Unicode.
Distribution
- On legal issues and marketing, plagiarism and piracy, distribution models, custom typeface design and costings.
9 Perspective
- Reflections of each author on their personal experiences of the process of type design.
Glossary and Bibliography