Jump through hoops

TypeCooker is a tool for generating type-drawing exercises. The system creates a random list of requirements for a typeface, but with relevant criteria. Each exercise will contain different rules. That does not necessarily result in a nice, pretty or useful design, but it will always be possible to design something to fit the problem. More on TypeCooker’s requirements.

Sometimes rules are mutually exclusive: you have to prioritise. Sometimes rules are not relevant, you can ignore them. But: inconvenient rules can’t just be ignored. It is tricky to get all the parameters. It is useful to sketch fast and precise. Get to the core of the problem quickly so you see sooner whether you can continue.

Attention Explorer users

The generator can’t run on Internet Explorer. It runs fine on FireFox though – it’s free and a lot better.

Parameters

A list of the parameters as they’re used by the TypeCooker, what they mean and how to use them. These will be discussed.

Step 1

Go to the Generator page and print the results, using the print function of your browser.

Step 2

Take a couple of sheets of white paper and start sketching the key glyphs according to the rules. Try to address all the requirements from the list. When the key glyphs work out, draw the first iterations, then the rest.

• H n o b a
• g s a h m i p d q v w
• rest

Step 3

Improve on earlier sketches by tracing parts that are ok, and redrawing parts that need to change.

Step 4

After a series of sketched and drawn typefaces, choose one design to digitise.