Steep
Handmade Typeface
Process Book
For this project we were asked to create a typeface using unconventional tools. I selected charcoal, bamboo calligraphy pens, a regular calligraphy pen, glue, an xacto blade and some old calligraphy ink to experiment with before moving on to the next step of the process. Some of the more unique tools I used include espresso grounds and my own hair.
After experimenting with different types of materials I decided to use the bamboo calligraphy pen for my final typeface. I used some old calligraphy ink and mixed it with water, which helped to create a somewhat unpredictable ink flow. I think this helped to make more interesting letterforms and vary the level of grayscale. The inconsistencies from both the pen and ink made my typeface more unique.
While making my initial letterforms I tried a variety of papers including paper towels. I liked how the quilted pattern in the paper towel soaked up the ink in areas where there was more flow. It reminded me of when pens leak and create this really dark pool of ink. I decided to move forward with this study because I felt it was textural and really showed the materials. I also thought it was interesting to base a typeface on my own natural cursive handwriting.
Based on my original study I created the whole alphabet using the bamboo pen and ink. I then scanned my designs and used the Live Trace tool in Illustrator. After some tweaking and height adjustments the letterforms were brought into Fontographer. In the program I edited the kerning to make it more cohesive. I then made glyphs to complete the face.
Steep [steep] verb; to soak in water or other liquid, as to soften, cleanse, or extract some constituent: to steep tea in boiling-hot water; to steep reeds for basket weaving. To wet thoroughly in or with a liquid; drench; saturate; imbue. To immerse in or saturate or imbue with some pervading, absorbing, or stupefying influence or agency: an incident steeped in mystery. To lie soaking in a liquid.
Handmade Typeface
Process Book
For this project we were asked to create a typeface using unconventional tools. I selected charcoal, bamboo calligraphy pens, a regular calligraphy pen, glue, an xacto blade and some old calligraphy ink to experiment with before moving on to the next step of the process. Some of the more unique tools I used include espresso grounds and my own hair.
After experimenting with different types of materials I decided to use the bamboo calligraphy pen for my final typeface. I used some old calligraphy ink and mixed it with water, which helped to create a somewhat unpredictable ink flow. I think this helped to make more interesting letterforms and vary the level of grayscale. The inconsistencies from both the pen and ink made my typeface more unique.
While making my initial letterforms I tried a variety of papers including paper towels. I liked how the quilted pattern in the paper towel soaked up the ink in areas where there was more flow. It reminded me of when pens leak and create this really dark pool of ink. I decided to move forward with this study because I felt it was textural and really showed the materials. I also thought it was interesting to base a typeface on my own natural cursive handwriting.
Based on my original study I created the whole alphabet using the bamboo pen and ink. I then scanned my designs and used the Live Trace tool in Illustrator. After some tweaking and height adjustments the letterforms were brought into Fontographer. In the program I edited the kerning to make it more cohesive. I then made glyphs to complete the face.
Steep [steep] verb; to soak in water or other liquid, as to soften, cleanse, or extract some constituent: to steep tea in boiling-hot water; to steep reeds for basket weaving. To wet thoroughly in or with a liquid; drench; saturate; imbue. To immerse in or saturate or imbue with some pervading, absorbing, or stupefying influence or agency: an incident steeped in mystery. To lie soaking in a liquid.
