0401 Draw glyphs with straight stems

Introduction to Letter Design

  • Letters combine form and negative space.

  • Digital fonts are made from bezier outlines, a contrast to hand-drawn letters.

  • Example analogy: Making a handprint vs. tracing a hand.

  • Challenges with outlines: fidelity and detail often lost; edges may get rounded off.

Hand Drawing vs Digital Design

  • Historically, hand drawing letters was common.

  • Current trend: Many designers skip hand drawing before digitizing.

  • Personal preference plays a role; pencil drawings may be helpful for some.

Tools and Techniques

Software Recommendations

  • Adobe Illustrator: Familiar for many designers for drawing beziers.

  • Glyphs App: Alternative for font production; requires willingness to learn.

Importance of Physical Prints

  • Print designs when working digitally to critique without distraction.

  • Helps in studying work and making notes or edits.

Steps in Letter Design

Establishing Guidelines

  • Baseline: Essential constant guideline for design process.

  • X Height Guideline: Draw the lowercase "i" on the baseline and add this guideline.

Drawing the Lowercase Letters

  • Letter "i":

    • Wedge serif at top overshoots the X height slightly.

    • Evaluate proportions: adjust for being too tall, short, fat, or skinny.

  • Letter "L":

    • Shape based on the "i." Extend stem upward; create ascender height guideline.

    • L's wedge serif should match the "i." Adjust proportions.

  • Spacing Considerations:

    • Assess consistency and proximity of side bearings.

Drawing the Capital Letters

  • Capital "I":

    • Stroke weight heavier than lowercase, pronounced full serifs.

    • Keep top of "I" slightly below ascender height; introduce cap height guideline.

  • Combining Letters:

    • Integrate lowercase "i" with capital letters; judge and adjust.

  • Letter "h":

    • Combine two cap "I" forms; add a crossbar at visual center.

    • Crossbar weight establishes thin stroke; width of "h" guides other capitals.

Continuous Evaluation

  • Test letters in sequence; constantly judge proportions and adjust as necessary.