BACK TO THE FRAKTUR - Modular geometric calligraphic blackletter
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Calligraphy inspired design, that even though it's name can be deceptive, suggesting one in thinking it is a Fraktur derivative. Which is actually quite not the case, and as far as being a calligraphic Blackletter inspired work, the similarities between the two stop.
This is a heavily simplified and geometric take on the calligraphic style, with much more modernized letterforms as well.
It remains a WIP, but I'd love to hear what u think so far.
Cheers
Prajna is a Sanskrit word meaning wisdom, understanding, insight. Simple on the outside, with some depth on the inside. Looks like it could be 1:1 bricks, but it actually uses a 1.5 sized brick width, giving it additional curvature that wouldn't be possible on a 1:1 scale.
I was supposed to release this a year ago, synchronous to the Peace 2.0 sculpture that was publicly unveiled which utilized Prajna to spell out "Peace" in 12 different languages. I like to think that since the sculpture was written with Prajna, it has a literal connection with wisdom, understanding and insight. I release it now with the hope that you may write with Prajna of your own.
FRUNTSTOCT — FontStruct logotype reinterpretation
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For all ya failed attempts at re-creating the FontStruct logo typeface.
Many have tried their take on it, most without convincing succes, and often looking downright horrible.
Two of the most commonly made mistakes are.. 1) The introduction of a uppercase alphabet 2) Having a tendency for including far too many stuff in terms of extended language and typographic support, aiming for large multi-lingual character-sets with as many glyphs possible.
The lettering for the FS-logotype has this very distinctive modular geometric stencil concept. The underlying glyph structure consists of 5 horizontal rectangular segments, that together with a custom set of simple geometric blocks form a modular system that can be easily re-modeled or re-arranged to form the different letters and required parts that help to distinguish each individual letter from one another.
The modular system itself is highly simplified and easily accessible to implement additional changes. But typically speaking a simplified modular system comes at a price. And the further a system was simplified, the greater the amount of limitations will be. Which literally translates to a reduction in overall design depth and freedom to implement a more diverse complexity.
—TECHNICAL SPECS:
[Dimensions] Segments
X-Height — 3
Cap-Height — 4
Ascender — 1
Descender — 1
[Filters] Value
Horizontal Brick Size — 2
Vertical Brick Size — 1.8
Horizontal Grid Scale — 0.9
Vertical Grid Scale — 1
In case of this FS-logotype concept, there are a number of key components that put in place this very strict window of parameter-locked propperties, that exclude all but a few remaining options which could still be exploited, and therefor fully dictate whatever is, or is not possible.
Having only 5 segments, limited geometric components and highly restrictive rearrangeable capabilities towards implementing variation all adding up to the difficulty-level for extrapolating some of its more complex and- / or denser forms, symbols accents and puntuation marks.
To cramp excessive amounts of complexity into a very narrow band of realestate would have a certain negative wear on its aesthetic qualities. And is likely to result in a combination of messy glyph composites and queer-looking letter-inventions, contrapped in a mish-mash of irregular and gawky looking, at times even disfiguring geometry that sit at the heart of this problem.
This is exactly where those bad choices can either make or break your font. The modular system for FS's lettering clearly isn't the most suitable of fonts for uppercase forms and complex geometry.
This doesn't mean that it is impossible, as was demonstrated by a small number of re-interpretations that actually do include fairly decent uppercase inventions. One of such that have successfully pulled off the inclusion of a uppercase set for his rework of the logo typeface was Zhalgas Kassymkulov—previously known as architaraz.
His attempt is a beautiful display of craftmanship and clever simplicity.
Here is a list of attempts that I think are successful re-interpretations of the original FontStruct logo:
Structurosa Italic — by four
AT Archistruct Outline — by kassymkulov
Structurosa— by pauldhunt
FS Logotype — by WeDoFonts
pixelstructia — by gamesgames
fs Colophon — by user-juli
fs sanstruct — by ETHproductions
Realised — by thezenmaster1000
Structurosa Bold — by pauldhunt
FontStrukt 2 Soft — by Jamie Place (FontBlast)
Structurosa Bold Too — by pauldhunt
— WHUTZINSIDE THIS FRUNTSTOCTION?
Now, a extensive explanation for the decision to not include uppercase forms to the font, as well as for the constraint on total character amount had been broadly covered above. I think that small caps numeral figures make a much more sleek looking glyph, and tying the overall character set much more together as a whole.
Another, and I say, rather more unique feature found in my version of the lettering is only a subtle one in fact. One that mostly works invisibly, that without the awareness of the reader, is easily missed. And can only truly visually materialize and appreciated seen up close. This is the implementation of several slight deviations and custom sculpting of certain curvatures and round features. Introducing an ever so slightly more diverse dynamic, but also taps deeper into some of that shape contrast propperties.
In addition to that I've also included several glyph alternative forms and small number of ligatures to play around with.
among these glyph alternates there is also this continuous string of 13 rather experimental looking glyph variations for the lowercase letter 's'.
These aren't actually meant to be usable characters, but instead is a collage of different configurations that make various curved geometry, and are simply stored in a glyph-style fashion that provides an actual physical estimation on their appearence and for me to test their functional values in a text format.
So far so good,
I am happy with how the font turned out to be, it is fairly consistent looking and still remains quite usable as a font.
That's all for now folks...
Cheers.
Inspired bt the works of great Wim Crouwel and striped sports jerseys. Also a study in 45 degrees diagonals, happily provided by fontstructor and master Goatmeal. Basic latin support and a few ligatures. **UPDATE 19.11.2014 I worked out a few unbalanced characters and added ligatures. Hope you like it!
**UPDATE 2016: please check the new version under the name of Wim V2.
Here is a (somewhat refined) departure/sequel to the example design I created to help inspire their projects. :)
Alternates are included in the lowercase. Just letters for now...
Bump the zoom up a few notches in the preview widget to get proper hairline spacing. Enjoy!
This is a cloneSee more:
https://www.fontstruct.com/fontstructions/show/1677460/garry-3
https://www.fontstruct.com/fontstructions/show/1633313/detour-3
https://www.fontstruct.com/fontstructions/show/1742956/transom-hoog-1
https://fontstruct.com/fontstructions/show/853542/at_liena