It’s ok to do work based on already existing fonts, IBM logo is based in Berthold’s City font for example. Many logos are based on modified versions of already existing fonts and then there are many hand drawn logos too.

It is up to you to decide if a font face is appropriate for a work or a new lettering needs to be done.

A dirty little secret: I made my own logo from scanned letters of DTL Nobel (a font I didn’t wanted to buy).

Héctor

Hello Erica,

yes, there is a lot to learn and many to learn from, but you’ve taken that bold step by joining into forum.

Yes... I did see “Hero” and have the DVD... and yes, I do know how to sword fight with the Chinese TaiChi Jian Sword as well... honest.

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Yes, I’m old, but I’m back in style!

Erica, welcome! Yes, it’s not “usual” to design a complete font... But it’s a unique challenge with special rewards, and you seem to already have an important ingredient: you think it’s fascinating!

Using a free/cheap font for a logo: that’s actually safer than using such fonts for text! Because you have a chance to look closely at the beziers and fix stuff as needed; for text a font has to be adequate out of the box. To be fair though, not all free/cheap fonts suck. And some reputable foundries even give out quality free fonts, sort of as bait.

BTW, I’ve always wanted to learn swordfighting. There are different styles I guess; to me the stuff at the Olympics is least interesting, because it has neither romanticism nor spirit; I prefer what might be called “Conan-style”, but most of all I would love to learn to properly use a wakizashi. The katana seems too... loud. I actually have a Japanese sword set (although it’s stored half a world away now) but the most action it’s seen was against a side of ham.

One parallel between swordfighting and making type I guess is the level of concentration required: putting your life on the line and making a good quality font cannot be done casually (even though few type designers rely on type to make a living).

hhp

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/paradoxes.html

A swordsman should use a weapon with a length that suits his stature.
Sorry Erica, you really shouldn’t have mentioned that film, good luck in your studies.
Tim

Paradoxes, why not a Parageese?

Paradoxes, why not a Parageese?

Of course, in Alabama the Tuscaloosa...

Tuscaloosa…
This was one of my first designs as Art Director at Comugraphic in ’82.

Va-rum-puh! “say da secret woid and win a hundred dahlahs”

LOL! one of your best shots Norbert :-)

ChrisL

There are certain advantages to having misspent one’s youth...

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Yes, I’m old, and I can’t remember what those advantages are...

Erica must have second thoughts about joining this raving mad bunch.

We went from ancient Chinese calligraphy to the Marx Brothers without batting an eye.

We brushed right through it all and left our marx.

ChrisL

Gee, by this time I thought you would have recognized my impression of Captain Spaulding for my Typophile avatar icon.

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Yes, I’m old, but where’s Gummo?

” I thought you would have recognized my impression of Captain Spaulding...”
Does that mean you are an animal or a cracker :-)

ChrisL

I did western fencing during many years. The only reason it can look like having no ’romanticism nor spirit’ is because people is familiarized with Hollywood’s fights.
Real fencing, (like real martial arts) is faster and looks completely different to ’choreographered’ fencing.

The reason real fencing is different from Hollywood fencing is Hollywood actors make millions of dollars for each movie. No hurting the stars

I guess you could say that the Olympics has become more Hollywood, but I know that when I watch “professional” western fencing, I feel nothing. It seems to be parallel to the formalistic, clinical, sterile state that Kung Fu was in (at least in the west) until Bruce Lee showed up.

hhp

Even the competitors in katas, wushu and weapons forms nowadays admit that the only way they can score higher points with the judges is to throw in flashy and overly dramatic actions... nothing that would ever be used in actual combat.

Conversely, the system I currently study is incredibly BORING to watch. Traditional Yang Family style Tai Chi (Taiji) is like wathcing paint peel, and the more advanced you are, the less movements are visible (all internal).

BTW — my niece, Jessica, is a foil champion and is very exciting to watch. She floats like a butterfly and stings like a B*tch!

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Yes, I’m old, but I move very very slowly!

Wow. This thread has completely spun out of control. ROFL

out of control? erica started it in her first post!

> i want to learn how to sword fight.

See Tiffany, we’re sticking to the topic.

Ohhh man you gues can go on and on. hahahahahahah... yes i do not want to fence but some serious sword fighting, i wonder if they teach that kind of stuff anywhere around here.
BUT HEY im bout to post a critique for some mock logos i have to do for class so jump on over to “the critique corner” it will be called “tell me what you think”....good stuff? see ya over there

The west is increasingly becoming centered on Liability. These days you can’t even install a sprinkler system in your back yard the way you want it. Ergo: for real swordfighting, you’ll have to leave the country. And leave your travellers cheques at home.

hhp

aww... i must become one with the samari.... thats sounds like a lot of fun but alot of disiplin. and probley alot of years gone by

Critique...Logo/Corp ID/ tell me what you think .........go here everyone