ZEPHTON (Pro) — 70's future retro / sci-fi style typeface
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[ INTRODUCTION ]
A revival of the Sci-Fi lettering used by the “Atlantic Toy Company” for their “Galaxy Serie”. A science fiction themed toy line that was manifactured from 1978 to the early 1980s.
The lettering seen on their packeging uses a modified and filled version of a typeface called Paperclip Contour, which was designed by Dutch graphic designer Ad Werner, and was issued by Mecanorma in 1973. There is very little information provided on the web in regard to the original typeface by Werner. And even fewer images. Nothing that show a complete character set, only FontInUse submissions. But taken from the research I conducted I can safely conclude that the original Paperclip Contour typeface has just one style, which is outlined, and that it includes a lower case(a-z) letterset with numerals and just a had full of symbols and punctuation.
That being said, this actually is the second revision I did for the lettering. The innitial first version had a super basic character set, as well as a couple of mistakes included alongside some compromises in respect to certain glyphs. This was due to the limited knowledge I had in regard to the use of the FS-editor at that time. So the font wasn't 100% accurate. This newer version correct most of the inconsistencies that were present in the older version.
Due to the incomplete resource material on the original Paperclip Contour by Werner I can't check accuracy of this newer version. But I think that apart from the thicker weight in Zephton its 99% accurate.
Where the older version ran short by a lot, this new revision in fact can qualify as a full font, with everything from numerals, symbols, puntuation marks as well as accented letters for more Latin languages. And ever some glyph alternatives. Making this much more of a functional font.
[ THE FONTSTRUCTION ]
The font is a “Unicase” style typeface that has only “Minuscules” included. There are glyph alternate forms for several letters as well as a secondary set of numeral figures. These characters are located in the Unicode blocks for “Halfwidth And Fullwidth Forms” and “Private Use Area 1”
There is also a full (a-z, 0-9) alphanumeric set with “Contour Outlined” glyph alternative forms, which is located in the “Private Use Area 2”
The font saw a major update that tied everything together, and sort of finalizes the font for proper use.
Several characters have received minor adjustments in order to find a balanced harmonic distribution of typeset material. Also several improvements have been made to the overall shape and form of various characters. In addition to that numerous new characters been designed, expanding the character set even further.
Work also continued in the metric department, building the kerning table, that contains 2368 stored kerning pairs so far. Spacing was reduced by 50% to tighten the letter fit significantly. To round things up and convert it into a more functional typeface some of the characters were rearranged and/or relocated to different Unicode blocks.
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[ CONTOUR OUTLINED GLYPH ALTERNATIVE FORMS ]
The contour outline glyph alternative forms are not 100% accurate conversions of their solid counterparts. This due to minor design difficulties that simply made it impossible to fully execute it at its current size and with this thin stroke weight. The deformities are simply the result of a lack in fully smoothened stroke contours in some of the transitions from diagonal to curved parts. These flaws are minute, and mostly only noticable at large size rendering, but nonetheless present. In small to medium size text these imperfections are hardly visible, and pose no real problem. Anyway.. the contour outlined glyphs are still very close approximations nonetheless, just so that it happens to be with a small number of tiny imperfections.
As a direct result of this the two sets with glyphs do not fully match and therefor not seemlessly overlap.
This can be ignored for most part in the majority of the font's application, but it does create two important limitations:
1) Contour outlined glyphs are unsuitable for vector path outline rendering when the stroke alignment is set to "Outside" (Configured like that with threshold for the corner point angle set to sharp these imperfections in the glyph contours can generate spikey disruptions to appear in the stroke rendering).
— So this configuration should be avoided.
2) The two styles are unsuitable (or incompatible) with stacked “multi-layer" overlay text compositions.
— Simply due to the fact the two variations aren't a 100% true match.
They do on the other hand, combine perfectly side-by-side in text composition.
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[ MORE LIKE THIS ]
There is also this other FontStruction that was inspired by Ad Werner's font Paperclip Contour, called Neue Werner Paperclip, this one was crafted by fellow memberfunk_king
Thats it for now...
Cheers
This is a cloneNEXT SKYCITY - A decorative future-retro art deco style display typeface.
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This is a remastered and extended sequel to an pre-existing older design I did.
Now, the reason for this was due to the fact that there was a lot going on in the older version I simply just wasn't satisfied with.
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This new and extended version includes an overall more streamlined and consistent design. Much improved and more balanced looking numerals.
Also have I corrected and added numerous punctuation marks, and, last but not least.. What truly changed this previously more of a lettering idea type design into a relative usable full font is, the introdiction of a simple and legible geometric lowercase string. Make the font far more suitable for body text.
The uppercase and numeral strings are a random mix of both normal open stroke-based geometric letterforms and stylistic filled letter-contours, that, when arranged like this making the uppercase character set look playful and slightly future-ish retro at first, yet a somewhat strangely ellegant sophistication that is ever so gently present. This could be used in isolation for a strong and convincing decorative headline text, or in conbination with the lowercase for a surprisingly readable an clean looking body text that has the occasional occurance of a decorative capital letter.
I hope you like it so far...
This is a cloneDALLIANCE GROTESK — Geometric gothic grotesque
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Dalliance Grotesk is a solid sans-serif lettering concept that builds on the ‘core’-lettering concept of frongile's amazing work called Liaison Grotesk
Liaison is a renegade take on the gothic grotesque sans-serif style. A wonderful mix of early egyptian styles that get blended with subtle neo-grotesque hints, held firmly together by a rigid condensed geometric letter-backbone. The crude design of Liaison provides a very distinctive and unpolished appearance, that breaths a lot of visual character.
Its geometric quirkiness and rather irregular letter widths, just the slight imperfect overall lettering simply came together perfectly in frongile's original design. Making this a text-book example as for whyback in the day this style became known as ‘Grotesque’.
Yes, Ugly.. Obnoxious.. and... ‘Always in your face’
— Exactly how we like them best...
Dalliance Grotesk is the result of harvesting some of that original soul personality as was seen in Liaison and borrows it for extrapolation into a different font.
While Dalliance tried to preserve much of the overall letter-backbone structures from the original source, its primary aim was, to push towards a more polished finishing touch.
Simplified letters that were stripped of most quirks and bits, keeping only their rough shape intact.
In addition, all curved letter-parts were fully re-build with smoother contours and more natural flowing curve transitions. The spurred top and bottom stroke-stops for the lower-case letters had been changed so that the top now slightly differ from the bottom spurs (different tapered angle). Also the top spurs all have been slightly lowered to make them sit a tad bit bellow the x-height of the font.
Main modification revolved more or less around achieving cleaner overall text rendering and better optimization for body copy in small point sizes. In the process of getting there, I carefully adapted each glyph equipped fit, to appropriately accommodate all the ty(pro)graphic goodness one can possibly hope to pull out of a Fontstruct.
Smooth (near)-Bézier contour quality, optical compensating correction adjustments, such as overshoots, small vertical stressed contrast and improved stroke joints. Also the font's proportions for height to weight ratio has drastically changed.
— Utilizing sort-of an attenuate 'knockoff' to frongile's original concept for his Liaison Grotesk.
I would like to thank him for allowing me to harvest the basis of his lettering-concept and letting me re-use that as the stylistic back-bone in the creation of my own font.
DIDUDE (Regular) ― Contemporary Neo-classical "Didone" style serif
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The idea revolved around the basic concept for 'Didone'-style typefaces.
A genre characterized by modern unornamented standard letterforms, which was very popular for general-purpose printing during the 19th century. DIDUDE is by no means an attempt to embarge on a quest trying to deliver a conceptual overhaul of this genre. Its main goal was to achieve greater simplicity, without sacrificing that traditional neo-classical personality. Instead of leaning towards the typically more 'Humanist'-influenced style with distinct stroke modulations and proportional forms, geometry and symmetry were introduced to design this more simplified take on the traditional historical style. It has been crafted with a structural logic of its own.
"Less human, more geometry.."A fusion of geometry and neo-classical elements that blends the past with the present.
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Main distinctive features for DIDUDE (Regular) are:
Unbracketed serifs, vertical orientation of weight axes with a strong contrast between thick and thin strokes, slightly squarish-shaped round characters and its emphasized business-like nature. So the majority of important characteristics that distinguish the neo-classical style have been incorporated.
Certain features that were implemented into DIDUDE's design are somewhat setting it apart from most other, more traditional typefaces in this genre, and most notable is the more relaxed contrast ratio that was choosen for this particular project.
Further personalizing touches were made to stroke endings and curve geometry, providing slight 'calligraphy'-inspired decorative variation with occasional spurs, breaks, curved finials and plain monolinear terminals.
Topping it all off with an ever so gentle height deviation that sparks a subtle rhythm to any line of text. Last but not least, most of the optical clunkiness was addressed and either corrected or compensated.
There is a large character set that includes a little bit of everything:
Basic latin character set, latin-1 supplement set, stylistic ligatures and glyph alternatives, punctuation marks, lining and non-lining text figures, roman numerals, (Partial) Greek and Cyrillic, also numerous non-lingual technical, mathematical and decorative stuff was included.
Only partially kerning for now and this remains a WIP.
Nonetheless, I hope y'all like it so far..
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Here is a link to the other font style in this typeface family:
STF DIDUDE (Condensed)
Cheers
This is a clone of STF_DIDUDE_(Condensed)TUBULAR LUMINII - Rounded inline display sans
◇◆◇ ❒ CONCEPT ■ ■
⇛▸⇛ Font that mimics electrical gas-discharge tubes (Neon)
◇◆◇ ❒ BACK STORY ■ ■
A larger potion of the Neon-fonts that are found on the web often have these quite strong emphasis on their decorative design aspects, and a lot of them come in elaborate looking complex styles and form. Besides the numerous optional different personalized conceptual decorative elements implemented into the design, many typefaces also regularly use more commonplace modifications such as; ▸multi-linear, incisions, patterned etc.
◇◆◇ ❒ THIS FONT ■ ■
Instead I went with a clean, simple basic geometric letterform, one that is essentially mono-linear at it's core. The one major key element that I have incorporated to the concept is that unmistakable in-line stroke. This was done to give it more of a convincing 'tubular'-concept as is the case with a real neon gas tube.
The other less pronounced but nonetheless fundamentally important design feature are the closed stroke-endings. Apart from being this extra little personalized element, it also suits a technical purpose. That of which is; "To fully preserve all 'in-lined'-negative (white) space in full isolation". This enables somewhat easier 'end-use' access to layer atributes or compound paths in graphic design software.
◇◆◇ ❒ FS TECHNICAL ■ ■
It's constructed mainly of connector bricks and a set of custom composite bricks, expanding FS's default connection brick set. Enabling greater viariational depth and complexity for custom shaping.
◇◆◇ ❒ FS METRICS ■ ■
❖ ❖ Metrics ⇒ 〔measure in ⇒square grid units〕
〘▸〙〔Glyph Metrics〕
○ Brick Size Filter: ~ 2 : 2
○ Cap-Height: ~ 4.5 ✕ 4.5
○ Ascent / Descent: ~ 0.5 ✕ 0.5
〘▸〙〔Font Metrics〕 ❖ ❖
○ Font Size: ~ 7.5
∗ Full Em square (incl. ⇒ symb. & punct.)
More soon..
Cheers
This is a cloneSJABL00N - A futuristic looking display stencil
It is far from perfect, and especially the symbols and punctuation marks could here and there be better.
I think this was initially inspired by the likes of Wim Crouwel and similar graphic designers.
I hope you like it
This is a cloneBACK 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
GEO-PROTESQUE - Geometric grotesque typeface
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This time I did an attempt at making a typical super rounded geometric gothic grotesque "workhorse" typeface. A sans serif style that is a very popular for headline and display text.
The idea for "Geo-Protesque" was to make a sans serif style that is strongly inspired by the pre- "International Typographic Style" -era. To dive deeper into a more decorative period of hand-lettering, pioneered mostly by architects and painters.
The most important difference as oposed to today's more traditional type design, is that during tose early days of the Modernism movement lettering usually was purpose made. Each letter had a unique role within a composition, making Lettering that was meant to be used in a unique configuration. These designs occasionally didn't even had full alphabets designed. And even more rarely getting manufactured and cast into full printing typefaces.
It was mainly inspired by those sans serifs seen in vintage sign paintings and show cards designs that often were more decorative artistic takes on the general basic stylistic concept of sans serif letters.
Although Geo-Protesque is essentially more of a contemporary looking design, I tried to incorporate some of that playfullness that came with these "free-form" sans serifs.
On the other hand this design sticks well within those realms where it remains faithful to simple geometric form. This created almost quirky looking letterwidth distribution in the upper set, and set somewhat of a funky rhythm. This gives the font a very strong early 1900's feel.
The lower case set has a much more uniform design that works well in a piece of body-copy text.
To pull this design off properly the font was created on a large grid using the 'faux'-Bézier approach. The rest just enfolded from there on out.
The design, (obviously) a very geometric grotesque, has some nice neo-grotesque features to it as well.
While many letters mostly have even stroke width, upclose you'll notice some stroke width variation is going on after all. This to bring more contrast into certain area's. Anther design feature is the font's generous and open letter-spacing.
The font is optimized for body copy in both digital and print use. Even at very small point sizes. In digital-display rendering it performs crisp even as low as 9pts. (Not bad I guess!)
Keep in mind that due to the nature in which 'faux'-Bézier curve fitting works this font might not be the best choice for a large size rendering. The linear interpolation method uses linear polynomials (straight lines) to construct glyph contours.
Beware that when using this font at very large point size rendering the remnants of this process will become visible!
Cheers
SMEERKAAS - Decorative, squarish geometric and rounded Art Nouveau display type
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Modern typeface design influenced by Art Nouveau typography.
At its core it is a plain geometric style, and the real breakaway towards a more decorative 'Art Nouveau' inspired style starts with the elongated letterforms and their irregular descending elements. These give it a slight more interesting and dynamic flow that somewhat resembles a calligraphic or handmade look. Some of the descending elements in the uppercase string slightly differ in length and are more decorative, mimicking a dripping-like effect.
Unlike with a more traditional Art Nouveau lettering, the geometric backbone of this design keeps it quite futuristic looking, and actually provides a nice transitional blend of styles.
It works well at pretty much any point size, even at the very smallest, but keep in mind that the font wasn’t meant for large body style text, and is best used in short decorative setting.
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Cap height: 12 units
Body height: 17 units
Point size (Em): 18 units
― I will add extra glyph alternatives in a later update (posted: 09-14-'22)
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The name “SMEERKAAS” is dutch for “cheese spread”and it likely needs some further explanation on why this particularly odd name was chosen.
During the eighties we had this idiotic tv commercial that was aired on dutch
television for a cheese spread brand called “Goudkuipje”.
The plot for this commercial was a castle siege during medieval times, and it revolved around the phrase;
― "Ze smelten de kazen!" which translates to; ― "They melt the cheeses!"
The plot further enfolds into the defending part that had run out of hot tar to pour onto their enemies, alternatively they started melting cheese, so that they would be able to pour that down the castle's wall.
To better understand the link between my font and the tv-commercial you should watch the short commercial clip first.
Video Linkhere - youtube.com
But in a nutshell, the name was sort of choosen as a meme to suit the font's dripping-effect decorative theme.
I hope you like it so far...
Cheers
This is a cloneBLAYDES - A modern geometric Blackletter style
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Playing around with some more experimental geometric forms for a Blackletter-ish font. It doesn't really involve or honors any actual calligraphic traditions. The font is actually just a simple geometric sans that was modified to sort of faking the looks and style of a Blackletter.
I tried replicating various elements that are traditionally seen in a Blackletter, such as: angular-styled segments such as strokes, transitions, tapered endings or serifs with a different approach. I used a set of circular shapes and variations to these in order to achieve a similar effect.
The end result sits somewhere between this obesed airport Grotesk, a contemporary Blackletter and the work of a bladesmith.
It has some very sharp and pointy tips, and for some reason this often very 'sword-like' forms.
STF_DAMAGE INC. - Tech inspired condensed geometric sans.
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It’s a modern rigid square-based geometric sans that was designed to work especially well in body style text. It was carefuly crafted to be a spacious but continuous fill.
The squarish geometry provides a slight mechanical looking, yet clean and very open basic design.
Each glyph was further constructed with more than enough negative space (white space), making sure any text will look brightly lit and feels well ventilated at all times. This is especially welcoming when having to read large chunks of body text.
The uppercase character set was constructed somewhat of a fraction disproportionally taller compared to the more naturaly proportioned lowercase character set. This to make any line of text that is set in 'all-caps' to bring the impression of being condensed.
This effect is then exaggerated even more by slightly pulling back on the extent of any ascenders and descenders on the lowercase characters.
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I am pretty pleased with the result, it's overall look is fairly consistent and legible. The condensed effect allows squeezing a good decent amount of horizontal text per one single line of type.
The only thing kind of dissapointing to me was it's smallest possible point size in digital display use. It doesn't do well bellow 20px (14.5pt)in digital format.
20px is the absolute smallest size for everything to look crisp and alligned with the pixel raster, going bellow this point and the font starts to become blurry and distorted.
I wonder what any of u type wizards think so far...
Cheers
ELEVATED (PRINT) - A 3D outline display typeface design with shadow effect.
It's inspired by the lettering from a sketch by great Dutch graphical designer "Jurriaan Schrofer".
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This is the long overdue shadow style variant which was requested by Goatmeal and elmoyenique. It has diagonal shading lines included (as was also presented in the original sketch by Jurriaan Schrofer)
This rework has one major difference compared to all previous versions, once more it was constructed with a different size to grid ratio, one that corrects the size distribution, enabling the recreation of the original sketch with high accuracy.
The stroke weight in this "PRINT" version more accuratly mimics the original sketch and therefor is not optimized for digital display use.
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The shadow effect is the default style for this font, this also includes all numerals, punctuation marks and other symbols that make up the full font, these occupy the uppercase. The outline style A-Z glyphs occupy the lowercase.
Enjoy!
This is a cloneA way to create thin lines in a small grid. Needs further development ;-) For architaraz