Handwriting / Fonts - Your Help Needed!

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:17 pm

As part of a module at uni, I have decided to create some custom typefaces (fonts) based on handwriting. Since everyone writes differently from the next person, I am looking to get about 5-10 good, vivid handwriting styles and convert them into usable TTF files. The next stage of the project is to create some actual designs using these typefaces for a yet to be finalised brief.

So basically, i'm looking for your help. What you will need are the following:

* A pen/paint/caligraphy pen/felt-tip/whatever to write with (black prefered)
* A white sketch pad (A3+ would be a good size, but basically anything will do so long as you can write all the characters onto it)
* A scanner (300 DPI/grayscale/JPG output required)

I require the following letters/numbers/symbols:

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
1234567890
¬`!"£$%^&*()-_+=
{}[]:;@'~#|,.<>\ / ?

Once these are completed and scanned, you can send them to brisk @ supanet dot com or just leave a message in here/send me a PM. If you help, I will also send you the finished typeface once it is completed. Note that I may not decide to use your handwriting as converting them to actual typefaces is quite time consuming, so depending on the response, I probably won't be using them all. If yours isn't used, you won't get the font obviously.

If you decide to do more than one, that is even better. Show off your flair and creativity - even abstract writing is encouraged.

Many thanks in advance!

Post by **CitizenKane** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:18 pm

id help u out but my handwriting is sooo shit, and i dont have a scanner. sorry mate!

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:22 pm

Even if you think your handwriting is shit, please give it a go. One mans turd is another mans gold. You'd be surprised how well scruffy handwriting works as typography for certain designs.

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:27 pm

Also, it would be a good idea to get your girlfriend/wife/mum involved too, as women tend to have a much more relaxed form to their writing when compared to the male equivalent. The more the merrier!

Post by **werldhed** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:38 pm

I have a fairly unique writing style, and I have a scanner. Unfortunately, I won't be at home tonight so I wouldn't be able to scan it in until tomorrow evening.
If you still need it then, I might be able to help.

Post by **Turbine** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:43 pm

The last time I used handwriting was back in grade 6 when they made us do it.
Now I write with letters that look like these.

Hold on.

What handwriting are you talking about, any writing done by hand?
Or the fancy, slow, useless "handwriting" style?

You want this sort of stuff, the way I write?

Or this shit?
[lvlshot]http://www.historyplace.com/civilwar/cwar-pix/address-1.jpg[/lvlshot]

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:52 pm

The 2nd pic looks good, but joined-up text is a bitch to convert. So essentially, it needs to be like the top one. But in your own style of course.

Or lets put it another way: however you write on a piece of paper (ie a letter, a lottery ticket, or whatever) is how i'd like it to be.

werldhed: no rush, I have about a week to do this so any time within that boundary is great, thanks.

Post by **Survivor** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:16 pm

lvlshot
[lvlshot]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/Drietand/handwriting.jpg[/lvlshot]

I write so much smaller usually

Post by **CitizenKane** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:18 pm

brisk wrote:Even if you think your handwriting is shit, please give it a go. One mans turd is another mans gold. You'd be surprised how well scruffy handwriting works as typography for certain designs.

still the problem of not having a scanner

Post by **Captain** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:19 pm

Haven't used cursive in over 5 years

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:21 pm

Cool. Please make it 300 DPI/PPI (or 600 if the paper is about A4 or smaller in size) and post the link again. Thanks!

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:22 pm

Same with you Mazda. LARGE LARGE LARGE!

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm

This is an example of the minimum size i'd need the text to display. Note that this is just a 72DPI shot from my digital camera, but when you scan stuff in at a high resolution, the type will naturally be bigger on screen, even if you only used a thin pen.

Post by **Survivor** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:31 pm

600 dpi handwriting.

edit:bugger still to small end edit

Funny thing, at 19200 dpi it'd make a 33 gig scan

editwo:

2400 dpi

editthree: damn resizing webhosts, I'll send it to your email.

Post by **MKJ** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:04 pm

cant scan. my handwriting has been called "artistic"

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:11 pm

Thanks Survivor.

Post by **Survivor** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:13 pm

Np, mine sucks so much you probably won't use it anyway

Post by **menkent** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:22 pm

i emailed this thread to myself... will get to it this afternoon.

another good place to ask would be the pentrace messageboard... lots of fountainpen nerds. just make sure you explain you're not looking for calligraphy.

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:26 pm

http://www.visi.com/fall/news/mesfont.html

This is an excellent example of what I want. Notice how the type doesn't always match it weight and kerning. This is perfect. Make it as rough and dirty as you like, whilst still keeping with your own particular style.

Post by **brisk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:30 pm

menkent wrote:i emailed this thread to myself... will get to it this afternoon.

another good place to ask would be the pentrace messageboard... lots of fountainpen nerds. just make sure you explain you're not looking for calligraphy.

I will post this thread there, thanks.

Post by **demonglitter** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:05 am

Sent mine via email....let me know if you got it. Hope it helps

Post by **Bdw3** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:28 am

I write like a 4th grader.....

I could have my sister do one for you, she has some really beautiful handwriting. :icon14:

Post by **R00k** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:35 am

brisk wrote:

This is an example of the minimum size i'd need the text to display. Note that this is just a 72DPI shot from my digital camera, but when you scan stuff in at a high resolution, the type will naturally be bigger on screen, even if you only used a thin pen.

Could I write and take a pic like this?

I don't own a scanner.

Post by **brisk** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:36 am

demonglitter wrote:Sent mine via email....let me know if you got it. Hope it helps

Nope, I didn't recieve it. What was the filesize?

Post by **brisk** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:37 am

R00k wrote:
brisk wrote:

This is an example of the minimum size i'd need the text to display. Note that this is just a 72DPI shot from my digital camera, but when you scan stuff in at a high resolution, the type will naturally be bigger on screen, even if you only used a thin pen.
Could I write and take a pic like this?

I don't own a scanner.

Yes, so long as the characters are about that size. All I ask is you make multiple pics, and try and keep em about the same size

Oh, and the pics have to be straight too!