Great article on how to design a modular type face

[Ryan Maelhorn]

This topic was imported from the Typophile platform

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials/design-stunning-typeface-just-si...

[hrant]

The results are blah and the technique (for example the curve-straight joins) is primitive.

hhp

[Ryan Maelhorn]

You complain about everything but rarely if ever provide any better alternatives. Have you noticed this about yourself?

[hrant]

You do have a point. But that's not as bad as ignoring a problem.

hhp

[HVB]

Ryan - here's something along those lines to keep you occupied for a while:
http://fontstruct.com/

[Arthus]

The solution to modular fonts is simple: Don't make them modular. You can limit yourself to so many pieces, but still, for a good result, small changes, optical or not, always have to be made.

Of course it's easier with a display type such as used here, but I agree that the smoothness is a bit lacking.

Reading text is simple because of repetition, but that doesn't mean you can't tweak repetition, this is what brings character to your type. Of course it's a very good way to start, with Fontstruct being a very nice stepping tool for a quick experiment before trying it out for real.

The thing I like about a modular typeface is the creative solutions (at least often enough) within the limited possibilities. Since they quite often play with the relations of the letters within the alphabet to each other instead of just being a copy of what (for instance) the basic latin alphabet is.

[oldnick]

Ryan—

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black: perhaps, if you knew the difference between your ass and first-base, you might be qualified to offer a critique of the quality of others' posts. Get a grip, Clueless-Boy...

[Ryan Maelhorn]

oooooo, Nick, please tell me more!

[typodermic]

I believe, the trick to making a good modular font is making it immodular. During, or after you've assembled your segments, run tests & make notes. If something looks wrong or feels uncomfortable, it's wrong. Go back an tap those arrow keys until it feels right. Use the force. No measuring allowed. These small adjustments, will in turn make other glyphs look uncomfortable. Spacing should rarely be modular. For example, there's no formula for spacing an L or T. It's likely that the best sidebearings won't land on grid lines. Through repeated testing, note taking and arrow key bopping, your modular font will look balanced and it'll have less of that amateur font appearance everyone probably would prefer to avoid.

[Ryan Maelhorn]

I dedicate this song to Nick Curtis, the most important thing in my life:

You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always be around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart

I feel like this is the beginning,
Though I've loved you for a million years,
And if I thought our love was ending,
I'd find myself drowning in my own tears

You are the sunshine of my life,
That's why I'll always stay around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart

You must have known that I was lonely,
Because you came to my rescue,
And I know that this must be heaven,
How could so much love be inside of you?

You are the sunshine of my life, yeah,
That's why I'll always stay around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart

[Ryan Maelhorn]

I mean, it's kind of obvious this article is for absolute beginners, no? Sure it doesn't contain the very best methods and means and practices of a master type designer, but then, it's not supposed to. I'm sure a few people who read this forum aren't masters yet.

[hrant]

The problem is the article wants to make type design simple. It's not simple. The least you can do is have a huge disclaimer to that effect. And don't call it "stunning".

hhp