The tg Font Collaboration Thread

[Gare]

Here’s the deal, just because we could debate this into oblivion, I’m making up the structure and the rules to get us collaboratively to a goal. I appoint myself, because I say so. So there. ;)

We are going to collaborate on a typeface. The font is going to be a trace-off—with lots of room for creativity and personal skill—from the Celebrated Burgeon Stamp Collection of 1924 or so. They are truly nice designs, representative of both the Art Deco and Art Nouveau eras, with a little Arts & Crafts on the side. Barbara Bouton contacted what’s left of the heirs of the company, they blessed us liberating the designs; actually, I think the conversation went, “1929? We could care less…”

So having secured the rights to scores of designs, I’m putting PNGs, high res, together, and will give the first 6 people who offer to trace the designs off their own PNG. If you’re truly, really, honestly, childishly unhappy with any of the designs, feel free to swap them on this thread with another artist.

Be aware of at least two things here: we’re looking for the artist’s intent in your restorations to Xara file format. So if a line is a little off, make it symmetrical or straighten it, for the good of the glyph’s design. These ornaments were made without the assistance of a computer or Xara. Now, some of the pages were curled, and had water warping, so work around it. Also, it might help to use Xara’s Photo filters to up the contrast so you can see what you’re doing. Also (also), some of these patterns were designed for the rim of ceramic dining plates, and therefore the design has some arc distorting instead of being nice and tidy along the verticals and horizons. For extra, extra points, and a general sense of well-being and accomplishment, try to un-curve such an ornament.

I’ll get to the size I need them submitted a little later: volunteer right now and at the moment I have two PNG pages, with the other 4 to come.

Then we’ll need people with TrueType or other font editor to do the compiling work and the coding. I’d go with Type Tool if not FontLab because the project file format is the same and we can share. So I volunteer, and could use some help.

Ready, Steady, FONT!



—g

[mwenz]

Count me in.

Mike

[Soquili]

I am very happy to participate.

[wizard509]

I can trace them.

[Gare]

Okay!

Larry: >>>Here's your page, 10 glyphs<<<

Bill, you sure you want to trace and help compile the font? You're a big boy, so okay: >>>Bill's ten glyphs<<<

Mike, you get the best ones (I'm kidding!): Mike's glyphs to trace off

Take your time, because I'm certainly going to!

Remember: a good character has an economy of nodes, nodes at extremes are much better expressed as two node very close together with a very ting straight path between them, and use this math-perfect Xara to design glyphs that are about 6 to 7" high, and have symmetry when required and smoothness of curves.

My Best, and we have 3 more seats open, folks!

—g

[mwenz]

Gary,

A question or two. Would you like the glyphs as I get to them (individual XAR files), as a master XAR file (containing each glyph from the scan I have), as individual EPS files tested and ready to import to TT/FL, or ?

And...just how perfect would you like the glyphs? I noticed on the first one I did that while there are some vagaries from printing, there is variation in the design itself (say from the left / right sides, repeating elements not exactly the same shape, etc).

Take care, Mike

[Gare]

Me, I'd prefer the glyphs stacked over one another in a single Xara file, Mike, because I have my own wonky workflow to get them into FontLab.

Here, I'll attach my idea of several gylphs that are ready to go, and if you don't mind the gang here watching over our shoulders, attach what you did to a post after this one, so I and others can look at it, and I'll comment on it to get 'er where she needs to go, eh?

-g

[mwenz]

Just for you I'll combine a couple on a page and upload it...

I find it easier to work with a single page for each glyph. But I'll combine into a temp file for uploading here. Only did two for now. Gotta hit the keyboard some more today on something else.

Take care, Mike

mike_temp.xar

[angelize]

Hi guys, I think this is a great idea, for the next few days I'll be away from the forums, once I am back and at it though I would love to do a few glyphs if you still need any done then. I wish I could help you guys out more.

[Barbara B]

In case anyone is interested, The Celebrated Burgeon Stamp Collection, is older than Gare remembered. This catalog dates from around 1906 to 1912.
Which, for us, is really good news; because creative, copyright protected work that was published before 1923, is now in the public domain.

About 10 years ago I spotted this catalog at a local garage sale for $4.00. I bought it and stuck it in a bookshelf and basically forgot about it. In 2006 I came across it again (in my own bookshelves ) and got curious about it. I Googled around and found a Reusche & Co. in Colorado who still sell glass and china painting supplies. I wrote them and asked them if they were the same folks and did they know when the catalog would have been published, and got this kind reply.

From:

Jon Rarick

Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 3:48 PM
Subject: RE: L. Reusche & Co. of 12 Barclay St. NYC Stamp Catalog Question

L. Reusche & Co. was started in 1906 with sales offices in N.Y. It was moved to Newark, NJ in 1929 until I moved it to Colorado in 1996. This catalog would be around 1908-1912. Hope this helps.
Jon Rarick