Mia Tirado
ART 051
09/06/2017
Prof. John Fender

Project 01 Letterforms

Upon entering this exercise, I expected drawing out each typeface to be an easy task, considering I am well versed in drawing. To my surprise, the assignment was tedious and required hours of careful attention to the smallest details.  While each letterform had its own quirks and characteristics, I did realize a significant difference in drawing the serif letterforms, compared to sans-serif letterforms. 
            What I found challenging about drawing the serif letter forms were getting the contrasting line weights correct. The details that I found particularly difficult to draw were the line weight of the brackets.  I found that I would make the line weights too thick when I started transitioning from the arm into the bracket. Another detail I found difficult to draw were the links and loops on the “g’s”. The typeface that I found most difficult to draw was modern due to the intricate differing line weights.  Also, I found it challenging to make the spines on the “S’s” proportionate.  To my surprise, it was not as difficult as I thought it would be to recreate the Blackletter Old English text.  It is a very detailed typeface, yet every detail has a place in the letter.
For the sans-serif fonts, while there weren’t the intricate details of the serifs to spend time on, it is also a lot easier to make mistakes on the serif fonts with the overall line weight of each letter. For example, I found that there were many similarities between drawing the Geometric San-Serif and Humanist Sans-Serif. The line weight between the two were very similar, as well as the proportions of many of the letters. It was difficult to find the differences, and apply them in my drawings.
The first letterform I chose was the Blackletter capital “Z” because of the differing line weights and transitions from the arms and serifs.  The next letter form I chose was the Oldstyle “V” because I feel that it’s serifs and differing line weights really portray the letterform. I chose the “i” for Italics because of the curved transitions, and I feel that it really has the aspects that make Italics.  The next letter form I chose was “E” in the script font because of its intricate curves and line weights in the shoulders. The next letter I chose was a ‘j’ because of the jot, teardrop, and serif that truly define the Transitional letterform. For Slab Serif I chose capital G because of its thick line weight and serifs that define the Slab Serif. For Grotesque San Serif I chose the letter “u”due to its bottom curve that goes from a thick line weight to a thin line weight.




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