Fall 2023
Design a revival typeface based on Francesco Griffo's type, as used in Hyperotomachia Poliphili.
Glyphs App
Typeface Design
I started by compiling photos of my source material and researching the patterning, spacing, and idioms of the type. After I had a fairly good sense of how the proportions of this typeface worked, I translated those proportions into Glyphs and began drawing. I drew just a few characters at a time, frequently printing them out, getting feedback, and revising, before expanding the character set. I repeated this process many times. Once I had a full alphabet, I began to work on the bold style. I'm now working back and forth, ensuring that everything is variable-compatible. I'm also adding OpenType features as I go.
I knew I liked designing typefaces before this, but doing this project has really solidified that love for me. I keep finding myself wishing I didn't have to work on my other projects so I could spend more time drawing letters. Working from a historical source has been really enlightening, as well—not only to learn from their work, but also to see where we've improved upon type systems in the last 500 years.
Glyphs App
Typeface Design
I started by compiling photos of my source material and researching the patterning, spacing, and idioms of the type. After I had a fairly good sense of how the proportions of this typeface worked, I translated those proportions into Glyphs and began drawing. I drew just a few characters at a time, frequently printing them out, getting feedback, and revising, before expanding the character set. I repeated this process many times. Once I had a full alphabet, I began to work on the bold style. I'm now working back and forth, ensuring that everything is variable-compatible. I'm also adding OpenType features as I go.
I knew I liked designing typefaces before this, but doing this project has really solidified that love for me. I keep finding myself wishing I didn't have to work on my other projects so I could spend more time drawing letters. Working from a historical source has been really enlightening, as well—not only to learn from their work, but also to see where we've improved upon type systems in the last 500 years.