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.
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.