Type Battle 34 // Trajan swashes

Posted by Ngoc Ngo in

Design

12 Jan 2009 — 1:44pm

It's awards season in Hollywood, which means that little golden statues will soon be bestowed upon many of our favorite (or least favorite) motion pictures. We all know that Trajan is Hollywood's font-of-choice when it comes to movie titles and posters, so it's only fitting that we spotlight Trajan in Battle 34.

// THE CHALLENGE

Create at least three swash characters for Trajan. You can either:

A) Set the word "BLOCKBUSTER" or any other movie-related word.

B) Design a movie poster using your swash characters in the movie title.

Winner take all, no holds barred. May the best designer win.

// REQUIREMENTS

- Image size: 550 width x 400 height. 72 dpi*
- Color: Black and White only (colors are okay only for movie posters)
- Format: JPG or PNG

*Please try to keep your file sizes to a minimum! 50k per file max.

// ABOUT TYPOPHILE TYPE BATTLES

This is your chance to stretch your type muscles on a weekly basis. You have one week to create and submit your entry. Anyone may submit a design response to the challenge. You may enter as often as you wish. Post anytime. Critiques and comments are welcome throughout the game, from participants and spectators alike. Smack talk is encouraged.

As with any street battle, there is no panel of judges and no prize — only the ability to call yourself the best on the block.

Link directly to this battle: http://www.typophile.com/battle34
Link to the battle directory: http://www.typophile.com/typebattles

dezcom
12 Jan 2009 — 8:02pm

verdiinpink
13 Jan 2009 — 1:51am

It's the combination between Bickham Script and Trajan Pro, just so you know.

And for the record, Helvetica movie using Trajan? Hmm, interesting.

--- pinky kinky winky ---

dezcom
13 Jan 2009 — 5:38am

Hmmm, Maybe we can get a clarification from Ngoc, I thought we had to draw our own swashes? I am probably wrong, it does not say that above--carry on :-)

ChrisL

verdiinpink
13 Jan 2009 — 6:23am

I'm sorry about not drawing all the swashes myself because I simply can't draw complex lines with my notebook trackpad, my fingers aches doing that *~*. If I'd get a mouse or tablet, I'll try next time... :D

--- pinky kinky winky ---

dezcom
13 Jan 2009 — 7:08am

That would be tough :-)

ChrisL

pica pusher
13 Jan 2009 — 11:30am

dezcom
13 Jan 2009 — 12:41pm

Good one, Pica!

ChrisL

Zara Evens
13 Jan 2009 — 1:12pm

To clarify, whenever a battle calls for the creation of an element relating to type design, it means one should *create* an original drawing.

If this isn't possible, you can go ahead and take existing elements from the typeface of your choice, frankenstein the shapes and submit them as your creation, but at this point in time you must be aware the community then has every right to call you on it and potentially ruin your reputation in the forums … forever! Muuhahahahaa :P

Seriously - try to draw your own.

nina
13 Jan 2009 — 3:38pm

I suck at this, but it was fun. :-)
Chris, love your Helvetica thing!

typerror
13 Jan 2009 — 6:32pm

Remember... the angle of the originating tool is roughly thirty degrees and it is a chiseled edge tool.

Pica, your S is spot on for the most part.

Michael

beejay
13 Jan 2009 — 8:26pm

definitely love the S, pica.

my attempt, with less swashy.

the shape of the K is awkward, like a crane. :)

bigger here

http://www.agency26.com/karate.kid.png

nina
14 Jan 2009 — 12:31am

Michael,
Hah! Point taken. I guess you can tell I don't really get the "handcraft" basics yet.
I just did something I thought would look nice. :-}

typerror
14 Jan 2009 — 3:56am

Please do not take that wrong.... what you did does look nice. I was simply pointing out the fundamentals of the tool used.

Michael

pica pusher
14 Jan 2009 — 4:35am

Michael, I'm hearing a lotta talk there, genius, let's see ya walk the walk! :)

Seriously though, take a crack at this. It's right up your alley! At least print out a couple letters and have at them with a pen; I'd love to see what develops.

typerror
14 Jan 2009 — 6:56am

If I can get out from under this job I will. I am peeking in here on one computer while I am scanning and digitizing on another : )

Michael

dezcom
14 Jan 2009 — 7:05am

It is hell when work interferes with procrastination, isn't it, Michael? :-)

ChrisL

typerror
14 Jan 2009 — 7:12am

Dammit Chris... you interrupted my daydream : )

I was creating a font that will replace all other fonts. You just select it in any program and it morphs to suit the users need... right on the screen.
Michael

dezcom
14 Jan 2009 — 7:16am

Pure genius, Michael ;-)

ChrisL

typerror
14 Jan 2009 — 7:18am

Going to call it Fluid : )

Michael

pica pusher
14 Jan 2009 — 2:27pm

morphs to suit the users need... right on the screen.