Typophile

Bifur Style

wmuench

I need some expert opinions on this typeface. They started off as a drawing for an assignment but I’m now using them to learn FontLab and have decided I might as well see them through to the end!

They are just preliminary for now---an exploration of how to combine lines and shapes to form an esthetically pleasing glyph.

Below are specific questions, although I do have opinions of my own but would like to hear what others think.

3 lines or 4 lines, and space or no space between lines and solids? As with L/C g, d, q, capitol K, E etc. (I think it would look best to go with 4 lines and leave no space between lines and solids…)

Between upper & lowercase, should the line weights be the same mathematically or should each case have it’s own particular line weight to balance visually?

When it comes to some of the solids should they be consistently the same thickness? (E, F, I, T, L, etc. -- horizontally and/or A, N, V, W, Y, etc.-- diagonally) This is probably a stupid question, I'm sure they should be the same but is there wiggle room? And lengths as well, such as E & F for sure but then what about the horizontals on T & L? Same as E & F?!!!

Should ALL diagonals have the same angle? I think yes but hard to match all characters with diags--some look better slightly changed. Is this something one needs to juggle?

When scaling down a cap, naturally the strokes change. I’m guessing that I shouldn’t be copying caps and scaling them but rather I should start from scratch for L/C letters? (refers to question 2)

Would the descenders be better shorter as in F & j or longer as in g, p, q? I’m thinking shorter.

Anything else?

Any advice appreciated!

Thank You.
(The attached file is larger)

AttachmentSize
bifurstyleLG.jpg239.02 KB
Frank ADEBIAYE

Nice, keep going !

The "2" should be perhaps less round, more straightforward in the lower part.

What kind of licence do you have in mind for this promising typeface? Restrictive or more civilized (creative commons, OFL)? In the latter case, I would be very pround to publish your typeface in my own foundry VTF (www.vtf.fadebiaye.com)

If applicable, please keep us posted (vtf1554@gmail.com) :-)

Frode Bo Helland

Three or four lines is a matter of preference. Your other questions though, they are great! You have realized the geometry might be correct, but nevertheless things don't look right. Trust your eyes! Do the adjustments! And do read up on geometric type and study actual typefaces, because there are a lot of ways to go wrong.

You can start here.

Riccardo Sartori

As of how many lines, you could do different versions based on intended target sizes.

wmuench

Frank A: That's a surprise--a very nice one. Thanks! I really didn't plan that far ahead but I'd definitely consider it.

frode: Thanks for the encouraging words and the great link--very informative.

riccard0: This is certainly another thing to consider and a good point! I've already made a number of changes and will re-post tomorrow.

wmuench

More work--more problems!

Now that I’m adding a 4th line my l/c i and l look too short/wide.

Don’t know what to do about descender length, is there any rule about it matching the length of the ascenders?

Furthermore, the half-circle solids in the l/c a, b, d, g, p & q look too bulky.

This has a long way to go but I would love some comments on these questions as well as how the changes I’ve made are working.

Thanks!

Captured from web.archive.org on 19 Apr 2015. view this capture