Type Design
Updated: Jan 23, 2020
We were proposed to create a new typeface that was inspired by a group of buildings around London. Out of these, I choose to create a typeface inspired by the National Theatre. I choose this building because I feel like buildings with a Brutalist influence are a bit of a challenge when it comes to designing a typeface, since these types of buildings normally lack ornamental details that make it unique to that place. This is not to say that the National Theatre does not have its unique features.
Below are some of the exercises that we did during the workshops to prepare us for this project. During these workshops we learned how to design type from skeleton to more creative approaches on how to deal with type.
A document that really helped me throughout this project was the "Conservation Management Plan for the National Theatre" (Haworth Tompkins, 2008). This PDF details every aspect of the building from how it was constructed to the way it relates to the surrounding buildings. It was through this document that I got my main concept for my typeface: Expansion. I looked into typefaces that already exist and that showcase this idea. I also looked for typefaces that were created between the 60's-70's, so that they feel relevant to the building I was creating a typeface for. (From left to right: Stereo Gothic, Heading UltraWide and Eurostile).
I first went to the National Theatre and took some pictures of the exterior and interior. I then, printed some of the pictures I had taken and drew the letters that I could find on the picture. I ended up choosing the pictures/letters that better fitted the concept of expended the best.
After that, I started drawing some letter examples on Illustrator. The image below shows the evolution of, for example, the letter "F". I wanted the letters to feel bold and very structured like the building, while also giving that contrast between the the straight lines and the curved staircases. I think this contrast is not only visible in my typeface through the curved edges but also the contrasting differences between the thickness of the lines.
After finishing my type, I had the opportunity to do a laser-cut workshop. During the workshop, not only did we learn how to operate a laser-cut machine, but we also had the opportunity to print out a poster in Letterpress with our typefaces.
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