Celtic/Roman typeface - critique!

outrasfontes
12.Aug.2007 10.41pm
outrasfontes's picture

A new typeface of mine (in development).
Critiques about this face and sugestions to amplify the family are very welcome in this moment!

Thanks,

Ricardo Esteves Gomes
http://www.outrasfontes.com

AttachmentSize
janathork-test02.gif30.34 KB
janathork-test02.pdf14.52 KB


glyphobet
12.Aug.2007 11.25pm
glyphobet's picture

I like it, it’s a nice synthesis of uncial and roman styles. I would, however, re-do the ’a’ as it looks more like a lowercase lambda than an ’a.’ The current shape would make a great lambda, btw.


l_vazquez
13.Aug.2007 4.03am
l_vazquez's picture

Nice work!! I like the ’a’… it’s different but readable


outrasfontes
13.Aug.2007 8.05am
outrasfontes's picture

Thank you guys! The “a” is really close to “lambda” and I did not realize that before. But I’m not sure about the real size of this problem. Maybe it can make an interesting relation to greek culture also that I was not expecting for. I’m sending an image with some calligraphic styles that I was based when I designed letter “a”.


glyphobet
16.Aug.2007 9.51am
glyphobet's picture

In the first two examples, the left-hand diagonal joins the right-hand one near the top. In the third example, the left diagonal is two strokes, almost like in a ’k’, and in the fourth, it’s a very reduced bowl. To my eye, these details distinguish these four ’a’ styles from a lambda.

The fundamental characteristic of lambda is the two diagonal strokes, the left one meeting the right at about its halfway point. This is what makes your ’a’ look like lambda, and it doesn’t have any other details that make it look less like lambda.

Of course, do what you like. I still think the font looks great. :)


outrasfontes
18.Aug.2007 5.39pm
outrasfontes's picture

Thank you very much, Matt.

I just made a small research for greek types and what I saw is that minuscule ’lambda’ always have an accender. Something like a rotated ’y’. So, in the situation when we isolate my latter ’a’ I agree with you that it looks like a lambda, but when we see it in a text (context), I think it is difficult not to read it as an ’a’. I was really thinking about that, so I made what could be a minuscule lambda in this typographic style. Please, tell me what you think about it.


litera
15.Sep.2007 12.20am
litera's picture

I would still move the join a bit more to the top of the letter. And have no confusion afterwards.

And btw: you’ve made very nice design so far.