Studio Brief 2 - Typeface Design - Type Specimen, Rationale and Crit

Type Specimen, Rationale, Crit Feedback and Evaluation

Type Rationale

Based on the word succinct the typeface is both clear and compact. Designed for wayfinding it provides clarity and readability with a geometric twist, whilst balancing functionality with personality. Legibility allows for quick recognition when reading signage on the move, with this in mind various features of my typeface aim to increase understanding.

The typeface boasts large counters which increase internal space making the letterforms clearer and more effective at a range of scales. A spur was added to the ‘b’ to avoid confusion between similar letters. Tittles on the ‘i’ and ‘j’ are accentuated to aid recognition. Tails are extended to create clearer more defined letterforms. Terminals are opened up on the ‘c’ and ‘e’ to avoid fill at smaller sizes and to prevent them being mistaken for an ‘o’.

The design developed from synonyms of succinct, words such as compact, condensed and crisp formed the basis of the typeface. These words provided physical characteristics which could be  applied to Univers, my starting typeface. Through adapting the grid used to make Univers to be square , with the x height being the same as the width, I was able to form a structure in which my letterforms could be developed in. Each letter was adapted to mould around the grid which appears to restrict and compress the forms. This structure allowed the curved characteristics to be standardised across the whole typeface creating consistent letterforms.

Univers was chosen as a starting point because of the already existent clarity of letterforms which provided a neutral form to add personality to and a solid structure to base my letterforms around. Features such as a moderate x height, narrow bodies and short ascenders and descenders all linked to the concept of compression and compactness, however the typeface has been developed to exaggerate these initial characteristics. A key feature of Univers that influenced the development of the typeface was the flat bowl in the letter ‘a’ which led to the rest of the typeface being flattened and subsequently compressed­ around the edges.

The typeface is suitable for a range of wayfinding applications from airports to city centre signage and aims to bring personaility to a practical setting. It is clear and robust with a geometric feel that is both appealing and functional.

Type Specimen

Finished type specimen 

Finished typeface

To create my type specimen I used 'signs' to put my typeface into context. Based upon airport signage, I have used a similar colour scheme and symbols found within this setting to further convey the function of the typeface. 

Crit Feedback and Evaluation

During my last crit feedback it overall was positive for my final outcome. In the feedback, it was said that the typeface is legible and clear. It was suggested that the kerning could be tighter to bring the letters closer together and reflect the compressed concept further. In contrast, it was said that the wider kerning allows for easier legibility and creates a bolder and clearer impact. For me the wider kerning prevents letterforms from merging making it clearer and easier to understand in a range of scenarios. It was said that the grid system used works well in compacting the typeface which gives the typeface structure but is not too constrained by its own rigidity. The typeface works well in black and white on a range of backgrounds whilst still retaining its legibility. The mixture of curved and straight edges make the typeface legible but orderly and serious enough to aide and guide people. Although I only created a lowercase alphabet and therefore lowercase signs it was said that this worked well even without the conventional caps at the beginning of each word. This is interesting because during my research into legibility I found that lowercase letters were clearer, but this suggests that potentially upper case letters are not needed at all in wayfinding. The horizontal terminals it was suggested create uniformity and direction which is something I had not considered; however, I can see how it may lead the eye along from one letterform to the next, particularly because of the standardised structure. It was also suggested whether the ‘s’ could be made more angular which I agree with as the form is slightly more clunky. The connection between the diagonal stroke and the top and bottom strokes could be made more curved, however this was particularly difficult in the grid system I was working with. By putting the typeface in context, it allowed people to evaluate it in terms of its function and reinforced the overall concept of the typeface. It was said that it would be easily read from a distance making it good for airport signage. Some people suggested that it may not have been as obvious it was for wayfinding however in context it worked well.