Learning Objectives:
- Master OpenType programming techniques for implementing professional typography features
- Understand contemporary sans-serif design trends and how to incorporate them into original typefaces
- Develop multi-weight font families with consistent design systems and optical corrections
- Learn font hinting and technical optimization for cross-platform performance
- Analyze and integrate lessons from contemporary type design leaders into personal practice
OpenType technology enables sophisticated typography features that distinguish professional fonts from basic typefaces. Understanding and implementing these features is essential for creating competitive contemporary fonts.
Essential OpenType Features for Modern Fonts:
Ligatures and Contextual Alternates:
Ligatures solve collision problems and enhance visual flow by replacing letter combinations with specially designed connected characters:
- Standard ligatures: Common combinations (fi, fl, ff, ffi, ffl) that improve readability by eliminating problematic letter spacing
- Discretionary ligatures: Stylistic combinations (ct, st, sp) that add sophistication for display applications
- Contextual alternates: Smart substitutions that automatically improve letter combinations based on surrounding characters
- Programming syntax: Learning OpenType feature code to implement automatic substitutions and contextual rules
Example OpenType Code for Basic Ligatures:
feature liga {
sub f i by fi;
sub f l by fl;
sub f f by ff;
sub f f i by ffi;
sub f f l by ffl;
} liga;
Small Caps and Case-Sensitive Features:
Professional small caps require specially designed characters rather than scaled-down capitals:
- True small caps design: Creating proportionally adjusted small capitals with proper weight and spacing relationships
- Case-sensitive punctuation: Designing alternate punctuation marks positioned for use with all-caps text
- Tabular figures: Creating monospaced numerals for financial applications and data tables
- Proportional figures: Designing variable-width numbers for text integration
Advanced Stylistic Sets:
Modern fonts often include multiple style variations accessible through stylistic sets:
- Alternate character designs: Providing style options (single-story 'a' vs. double-story 'a') for different applications
- Swash characters: Decorative alternates for display and branding applications
- Geometric alternates: Offering more geometric versions of humanist characters or vice versa
- Contextual substitutions: Smart features that improve spacing and appearance based on character context
Contemporary sans-serif design reflects current technological capabilities, cultural preferences, and application requirements. Understanding these trends enables creation of relevant, marketable typefaces.
Current Design Trend Analysis:
Geometric Precision with Human Warmth:
Modern sans-serif fonts balance geometric construction with humanist characteristics:
- Subtle contrast: Introducing minimal stroke weight variation to add character without compromising clarity
- Optical corrections: Using sophisticated adjustments that improve perceived balance and readability
- Rounded terminals: Softening purely geometric designs with slight curves and rounded stroke endings
- Balanced proportions: Creating characters that feel both systematic and organic
Variable Font Technology Integration:
Variable fonts represent the cutting edge of typography technology:
- Design space planning: Creating fonts that interpolate smoothly across weight, width, and optical size axes
- Master compatibility: Ensuring all masters have compatible outline structures for smooth interpolation
- Instance planning: Defining meaningful stops along design axes that serve specific use cases
- Testing interpolation: Verifying that intermediate weights maintain design integrity and spacing consistency
Screen Optimization for Digital Applications:
Contemporary fonts must perform excellently across digital platforms:
- Pixel grid considerations: Designing letterforms that render clearly at small sizes on various screen resolutions
- Hinting strategies: Implementing font hinting that improves legibility on low-resolution displays
- WebFont optimization: Creating efficient font files that load quickly while maintaining quality
- Dark mode considerations: Ensuring fonts perform well in both light and dark interface themes
Creating cohesive font families requires systematic planning and precise execution to maintain design integrity across different weights and styles.
Weight Development Strategy:
Master Design Planning:
Professional font families begin with strategic master design that enables systematic weight development:
- Extreme weight design: Creating light and bold masters that define the design space boundaries
- Interpolation planning: Ensuring masters have compatible point structures and design approaches
- Contrast management: Maintaining appropriate contrast relationships as stroke weights change
- Counter adjustment: Systematically adjusting internal letter spaces to maintain readability across weights
Optical Size Considerations:
Modern professional fonts often include optical size variations optimized for different applications:
- Text optimization: Designing versions optimized for small text sizes with increased x-height and simplified details
- Display optimization: Creating versions for large sizes with refined details and tighter spacing
- Caption optimization: Developing ultra-clear versions for very small text applications
- Poster optimization: Designing versions that maintain impact and readability at very large sizes
Style Variation Development:
Complete font families include multiple style variations that serve different communication needs:
- Italic design: Creating true italics with appropriate character redesign rather than simple slanting
- Condensed and extended: Developing width variations that maintain character while serving space constraints
- Alternate styles: Providing stylistic variations (rounded, sharp, technical) within the same family structure
- Special purpose variants: Creating versions optimized for specific applications (coding, data, signage)
Contemporary Influences and Innovation:
Studying master practitioners provides insight into professional approaches and innovative techniques:
- Tobias Frere-Jones methodology: Analyzing systematic approaches to family development and historical research integration
- Jonathan Hoefler's attention to detail: Understanding how precision in execution distinguishes professional work
- Erik van Blokland's technological innovation: Learning how technical expertise enables creative possibilities
- Contemporary trends: Staying current with emerging design directions and technological capabilities
OpenType Feature Implementation: Create a simple font with basic ligatures, small caps, and stylistic alternates. Use FontLab's OpenType panel or Glyphs' feature programming to implement and test these features across different applications.
Contemporary Font Analysis: Analyze 5-10 recent award-winning sans-serif fonts from Type Directors Club or ATypI. Document their approaches to weight development, feature implementation, and design innovation.
Multi-Weight Development Project: Design a basic three-weight sans-serif family (Light, Regular, Bold) using interpolation techniques. Focus on maintaining consistent character proportions and spacing relationships across all weights.
Variable Font Exploration: Experiment with variable font creation tools to understand how weight and width axes affect design decisions. Create a simple variable font with at least two axes.
Advanced typography features transform basic letterforms into sophisticated, professional typefaces that meet contemporary market demands. OpenType programming enables intelligent typography that enhances readability and provides designers with powerful creative tools.
Understanding modern sans-serif design trends ensures that new typefaces feel current and relevant while serving practical needs. Multi-weight family development requires systematic thinking and technical precision that distinguishes professional work from amateur efforts.
Mastering these advanced features and contemporary approaches prepares font designers for professional opportunities and enables creation of typefaces that compete effectively in current markets. The final module builds on this technical expertise by focusing on professional development, portfolio creation, and career advancement strategies.