Design a headline typeface

  • Software Illustrator CS4 or later
  • Time needed 4-8 hours
  • Skills-Transfer ideas from sketch to digital-Define letterforms-Set a baseline grid and x-height-Build glyphs

Whether it’s for an ad campaign, product, publication or identity, a unique typeface can help define a brand, message and tone of voice – giving the client something unique. in this tutorial we’ll look at the creative process of designing a new display typeface – in this case, an imaginary rebranding of Computer Arts.

Many typefaces that i design, including my Nagasaki font, start off as a one-off bespoke logotype or masthead design – but the process stays the same. Starting from the all-important concept sketches, i’ll guide you through how to fine-tune your ideas into defined letterforms, before transforming the glyphs from geometric shapes in illustrator into the final headline type.

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