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Mathematicians Devise Typefaces Based On Problems of Computational Geometry

Posted by Soulskill on from the extending-comic-sans-into-all-dimensions dept.

KentuckyFC writes: "Typeface design is something of an art. For many centuries, this art has been constrained by the materials available to typographers, mainly lead and wood. More recently, typographers have been freed from this constraint with the advent of digital typesetting and the number of typefaces has mushroomed. Verdana, for example, is designed specifically for computer screens. Now a father and son team of mathematicians have devised a number of typefaces based on problems they have studied in computational geometry. For example, one typeface is inspired by the folds and valleys generated by computational origami designs. Another is based on the open problem of 'whether every disjoint set of unit disks (gears or wheels) in the plane can be visited by a single taut non-self-intersecting conveyor belt.' Interestingly, several of the new typefaces also serve as puzzles in which messages are the solutions."

18 of 60 comments (clear)

  1. Question answered by bws111 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, at least now we know why typefaces are designed by artists and not mathematicians.

    1. Re:Question answered by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I don't know, Computer Modern didn't turn out all that wrong.

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    2. Re:Question answered by bws111 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      True, but I would say that was created by Knuth in the role of artist, not mathematician.

  2. Re:I think i will stick with Times New Roman... by i+kan+reed · · Score: 2

    You didn't actually see the font, the first image was just about analyzing character structure in a mathematically objective way.

  3. missing the point? by tverbeek · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Traditionally, typeface designers have considered legibility and aesthetics in their work (in addition to typesetting limitations). Apparently those factors are optional now as well.

    OK, these are interesting intellectual exercises. But don't try to sell them as examples of typeface design, because that's a creative discipline that goes beyond mathematical questions of "can it be done?"

    --
    http://alternatives.rzero.com/
    1. Re:missing the point? by i+kan+reed · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yes, every characteristic is optional. e.g. comic sans and windings. Attempting an objective solution to an artistic problem isn't bad, the complaints that come out of that can help point you towards better objective constraints. Assuming you've succeeded because you're trying to be objective would be the only problem.

    2. Re:missing the point? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Traditionally, typeface designers have considered legibility and aesthetics in their work (in addition to typesetting limitations). Apparently those factors are optional now as well.

      Since context, meaning, grammar, and style all seem to be actively discouraged in modern communication, why not use an illegible font as well?

    3. Re:missing the point? by celebril · · Score: 3, Informative

      The funny thing is that this sort of mathematical and reductionist take on font "design" is precisely what modernism and then postmodernism did to other art forms — by stripping a tradition of its presupposed axioms, picking a certain point as a "first principle", establishing an alternative deriviation from it, and then calling that "art". I hope the typographers hold out, unlike what has become of fields such as sociology, post-tonal music, and continental philosophy.

  4. Interesting... but nearly useless by Captain+Sarcastic · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The major point of fonts is to improve communications. Clarity and lack of ambiguity are pretty much the main goals we are striving for, with style being important but not vital. These two decided to have some fun with what could be done, and they succeeded. Good for them. Unfortunately, in achieving the style, they failed on the clarity. Time to turn the page.

    --
    Strike while the irony is hot! -- The Freethinker
    1. Re:Interesting... but nearly useless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      You misunderstand the point of the exercise entirely. None of these fonts are intended for use. Rather, the alphabet provides a useful set of 26 shapes upon which these geometric techniques / problems can be modeled. The alphabet is being used as a set of "testing data," nothing more, and provides an interesting and relatable look at various problems in geometry.
      However, the fact that this testing data can also be used for communications makes already-interesting demonstration of areas of inquiries in mathematics a little more interesting, particularly for the ones where this is a "puzzle font" form. But that's really a secondary feature.
      The fact that letters and numbers are being used is incidental. They could be modeling constellations - but letters are the most recognizable shape (at least in parts of the world that uses this alphabet).

  5. Re:only one version of the truth by SpankiMonki · · Score: 4, Funny

    digits have 0 physical value ever

    Dunno about you, but my digits come in pretty handy.

  6. At least ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, at least now we know why typefaces are designed by artists and not mathematicians.

    Next thing you know we're going to have software engineers designing user interfaces and wording menus ... oh wait.

  7. Please by rossdee · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Monospaced font for numbers, so they can line up in a column

  8. Re:Useless bullshit by matria · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Oh really? I would find such a thing extremely useful in creating knitting and other needlework designs. There is a fairly standard set of images for creating pattern charts, but a font representing these stitches would be even better - no need for the usually Windows-only pattern creation software that uses these standardized images.

  9. Re:Spoiler: The fonts look awful! by graphius · · Score: 2

    that I would like to see... PS. for all the naysayers here, There are MANY fonts that approach illegibility and are used for style only. I once worked in a sign shop and we had a poster with thousands of fonts. Admittedly we did not use many of them, but occasionally one of the esoteric ones would be perfect for a job. These fonts, as well as being mathematical curiosities could be used for specific circumstances.

  10. zeroes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Monospaced font for numbers, so they can line up in a column

    Also: slashed zero, as well as some distinction between capital-i and small-l (el).

    A good test string that I ran across was "Illegal1 = O0". Also, m/rn/rri (em/ar-en/ar-ar-eye), w/vv (double-u/vee-vee):

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IDN_homograph_attack

  11. Re:only one version of the truth by cusco · · Score: 5, Funny

    Considering your username, I think probably even handier than for most people . . .

    --
    "Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
  12. Re:Useless bullshit by Matheus · · Score: 2

    Commas are such dangerous weapons... All of the deep seeded psychological issues exposed aside, the incest described by your final sentence would be cleanly done away with by removing most of the commas utilized. You could alternatively replace the word 'then' with 2 words 'followed by' or even easier 'and then' to make your intentions clear.

    I may stand corrected in which case I owe your Husband-Father an apology (and child protective services a phone call!)