Our final type specimen for Keybo
KEYBO
The Brief
Create a typeface based on an assigned typographic image.
The Client
Student Project
The Process
Our assigned image was a vintage Japanese keyboard. The numbers were a huge part of the original image, as well as the shape of a superellipse. After figuring out the general direction we wanted to go with our typeface, we set out to design the remainder of the letters, numbers, and punctuation based on the specifications of the given forms. Starting with pencil, sharpie, and Velium, then moving into Glyphs to digitize our work, we quickly found out first hand how much work and decision making goes into type design!
The original prompt image
Final case set for Keybo; Forms in red were my contribution
Critique
After weeks of wonderful critique from Prof Karen Cheng and TA’s Dustin Mara and Peyton Todd, we were getting closer to the finalized typeface. Now was the time to nail down a name, and start designing our Type Specimen to present our work. We went through many iterations, but landed on Keybo based on our original prompt image of a keyboard, and the similarity to other Japanese names we were looking at. Our specimen highlights the superellipse form as well as the numbers which was an important part of the prompt.
Contribution Breakdown
Burke Smithers : A V U W X Y u v w x y z 1 4 7
Felicia Tzeng : F C G Q S J a g s c e 6 8 9
Jake Oelher : E I K L M N T Z f i j k t . , / ? ! - ' " ; :
Cameron Reeder : D B R P b d n p q h m r u 2 3 5 0
The Thoughts
Overall, this project was a fantastic experience. My group was great to work with, and the help and feedback from our professor Karen Cheng, and our TA’s Dustin and Peyton were always insightful and valuable. It was super fun to get the chance to design a typeface that we are all proud of!
The Keybo group: Burke Smithers, Jake Oehler, Felicia Tzeng, and Cameron Reeder