Fontworks Type Designers / Akiko Ochi
In April 2017, a new typeface, "PalRamune", appeared from Fontworks. This typeface was designed by Akiko Ochi of the typeface design group. Six years after joining the company, "PalRamune" designed by Ochi is a catch typeface with a modern, weak taste. The process of joining Fontworks was very unique. I heard about Fontworks since I was a student and about the characteristics of the new typeface.
What I did to become a Type Designers
When I was studying design at Nihon University College of Art, I thought, "I wonder if I will be a graphic designer." However, as I proceeded with many school challenges, I began to think, "Is this road okay, is it right for me?"
The only thing I was confident about was the typography class. When I thought that I wanted to do a job that specializes in letters, I found the internship at the right time when I found out about the existence of a job called "Type Designers." The first thing I thought about was that I was a craftsman, and I was really cool! I also want to do such a job. But I have no idea how to become a Type Designers. So anyway, I was acting steadily from the way I came up with the idea that "you can hit and break."
We asked the typemakers we met during the internship about the “typeface design work,” and asked other typemakers about their job hunting situations. In the meantime, I was able to connect to various edges, and I reached the point where we were interviewed by Fujita, and it was decided that I would join Fontworks. Actually, the test is quite unique in the interview? There was something like this, but I will keep it secret for those who are aiming to be a Type Designers from now on.
Training period that touched on the essence of typeface
The first thing I touched when I joined the company was Tsukushi Mincho. Tsukushi Mincho L or Tsukushi Gothic D as a model, I write my name "Akiko Ochi" in the squares. By the way, what I used to model here was not the character "Akiko Ochi" itself, but the five characters with the basic elements "Naga", "Sou", "Mimi", "Beauty", "Nari".
While watching these 5 letters, I thoroughly decomposed into the elements necessary for my name, spread the element, bounce it, bring it closer, and while moving my head and hands, I found the element of Chikushi typeface. I think I could have experienced it. Even though I wanted to become a Type Designers, I wasn't so interested in letters when I was a student, but it was just my dream. Therefore, I learned a lot more after joining the company, and I think this period was a valuable opportunity to experience the essence of "typeface" itself.
Over time, I gradually began to be involved in the production of typefaces such as Hanafu Kafu Techno, Skip E, and Universal Design fonts. But at first it's because it's simple things like symbols and circled numbers. Since my seat next door was Fujita, I was constantly studying what I was doing next door, sometimes asking questions, and eagerly studying the work of typeface design.
Birth of "PalRamune"
The typeface design group at that time had a fixed schedule for about one year, and there was a time to think about design proposals for a new typeface to be released in the next fiscal year, starting from April to January of the next year. "PalRamune" began with a word when Fujita saw the design of a typeface called "Curl" that was prototyped the year I joined the company. "It feels good, but try making a more modern typeface."
So, looking at the fancy typefaces of various manufacturers, what kind of style is the current style, it seems that the skeleton seems to be inconsistent with the flip-flops at first glance, but it seems cute, isn't it? I have come to understand that. Looking back and looking at "Curl", the design is full of energy. This might be all right, but it's not "modern", so let's say "weakness of weakness"! The concept was decided with that feeling.
When I was making a prototype, Fujita was looking at me from behind me... Is this typeface okay? When I was worried, I said, "I see, it may be better to make it faster because it is modern characters." The more I remembered that the prototype character at this time was "ha", the more I was worried about getting comments. Later research conducted inside and outside the company also found that the design had the highest evaluation, so the design for the official release started.
Good weakness typeface = "PalRamune"! ?
"PalRamune feature of" is, what was brought the center of gravity to the bottom. The aim was is the weakness system, but troubled When the saucy looked to increase the head. For any hesitation same "kana" is given, since the direction of weakness system depending on how pay is varies greatly "PalRamune had a hard time until you find the size and balance of the winding seems". Fujita says, "the whole of the goods well finishing not when the typeface is seen in 1.5 flow-2 stream," he said.
Actually, "is Ochi's You're a disciple of Mr. Fujita" In the past I was wondering if is said to be a "No, no - it's different." (Laughs), "PalRamune while you are making a" not be said also altogether different Do not with the idea that we have changed. Always in my head, You have Tsukushi typeface undergoing evaluation at a high quality, with regard to the attitude to be applied to the typeface production, I feel that also received a significant impact from Fujita.
Hiragana and katakana, kanji part is I was able to make to some extent continuous, numbers and the alphabet, at the start of production of the symbology had since had gotten free some time, first I thought "PalRamune" it took time to regain the image. "PalRamune" is textually but I'm also features it is small, I'm a symbol class had gotten to make a little bigger. Such case, always Fujita gave me the appropriate tips. If too hard in that one character, it becomes likely to forget the essence of the typeface. But it is Character Sets and I do things that do not forget absolute in making. I think that this was always the moment that reminded to be aware of.
And alphabet, ascenders, descenders, since it decided the rules, such as x-height, how "in the PalRamune was very even or going to the design seems". On the other hand, because the sign part is playing fairly in accordance with the Japanese part, we want to pay attention to it.
In fact, was forced to more production was the "typeface name". Although the development stage I was referred to as the "lollipop", because it was the name too cute in the atmosphere of this typeface, it did not come nicely. So when you try to typeface name "Ramune", from Fujita is said to be "as typeface name" Tsukushi "is a brand of Shigenobu Fujita, Ochi think the brand name is also on the typeface to make it" .... "With and I wonder What is the words that stick in the other large panic was I was (laughs) the future of all typefaces that I make my head is good, thinking overnight involving friends, the meaning of" companion / friend "in English it was to be a pal. "
Joy and future as a Type Designers
Since Fontworks makes various typefaces, I was already involved in many typeface creations even when I joined the company. Of course, I felt the fulfillment and accomplishment that I had done when the typeface was completed, but I didn't know the "joy of bringing out the typeface that I designed."
However, when "PalRamune" is completed and released, I feel more than that. I feel like I want to say "Thank you" to everyone in the world. It may have been a year or two that I felt that the joy of Type Designers and the true meaning of work were fun. After all, until then I felt like I was desperate to eat.
I am currently thinking about what to make next. It is a typeface that is needed by customers with a typeface that Fontworks has never created. While researching that again, I would like to create a typeface that seems to be "Palbrand", that is, my style.
Since "PalRamune" is a catch typeface, I think that it can be used in various places such as comic titles and products Packaging. Above all, I am grateful that you can use it. I am saving "PalRamune", so I would like to visit various bookstores and shops every day to buy goods using PalRamune!
