Brief 3 - Font sketches

Using our collated source material, we each began to design our own initial sketches. My development was fairly spontaneous, through constantly choosing and adapting different letterforms and manipulating certain characteristics influenced by multiple sources.

I initially looked at a fairly geometric format, using a set grid but applying subtle rounded corners to create a unique aesthetic as opposed to having a more angular font. This didn't seem to work as I much preferred the harsh and more geometric explorations. I kept the letterforms relatively narrow (much like DIN) as this format is common among European street signs.

Some of the reference images I found featured signs with text that had sliced, angular terminals on letterforms such as the lowercase "l' and "t'. I looked at manipulating some of my initial sketches using this device, experimenting with different angles and whether it should be on the ascender or descender (or both).

I loved the "R" in this French road sign. The letterform is well balanced, potentially due to the big bowl in proportion to the stem along with the short leg. It was consistent with the other letterforms and is something I wanted to try and replicate within my own sketches.