Font creation is something I have always been interested in but never really had the reason to get involved with. Until now.
What does a microfilmmaker need a font for? Can't I just go to a freeware site and download whatever font I wish and use that one? Be careful there my friend, that is a tricky area. Some people don't like when their fonts are used for commercial purposes, some don't mind at all. So you're left either trying to contact whoever made this font or taking the risk of "getting away with it". There is also some grey area as to whether or not a font design is actually copyrighted, evidently only the name/association can be copyrighted. This is why you can pick up a disc at OfficeMax with 10,000 FONTS! for 10 bucks, most of the fonts on a disc like this are probably ripped off "official" fonts, that have been slightly altered and had their names changed. I'm no expert in the legalities of font creation but I do know that you can avoid any possible hassle by having a custom font made for your project.
As I'm the graphic designer for the Depleted franchise, I decided to create an original design for the logo to give the film series its unique feel—part destruction and part bare survival. In the end everyone was happy with the look and feel of the logo. Soon after that, it became evident that we needed to convert my original stylized logo into a font that could be used by the other fimmakers that would be contributing content, as well as for marketing purposes and merchandising. Realizing how necessary a specific font could be to branding a film, whether low-budget or big-budget, we knew this was something that many other filmmakers could find useful. As such, we decided to search out a robust program that we could explore here at MFM. Enter FontLab's Fontographer 5 (AKA FOG), I have spent the last month exploring this software as I utilized it to create the official depleted font. Here is how it all breaks down.
Importing a pre-designed character is easy and detailed with Fog 5.
Ease of Use
Trying to tackle a new piece of software is always tricky. If you're like me you, prefer to dive into a program and then look for help in the manual or online along the way. I'm a hands on visual learner, so I
love it when a program lets me thrive by teaching myself. Fontographer 5 really has made things about as clear as they could be for a professional font program. While doing research I have taken a look at some other programs and found them either to be too complex to readily navigate or, if they're easy to understand, the results and options are way too basic. Although my experience with font creation software may be limited, my experience with design software in general is not. As such, when I say that I found the design and execution of Fontographer 5 to be on par with some of my other favorite design software, that's high praise.
This program may not be for the average beginner, but it's not a hard learn, either. Having recently played around with the 2007 version of FontLab Studio, I can say without a doubt this program is a major step forward for Font Lab in general. Icons and controls are easy to find and figure out. The manual itself is downloadable from the Font Lab website and offers some great information and tips for the beginner or veteran. Honestly, for the majority of what most of our readers will do with this the program, it's so nicely laid out that you probably will find that going to the manual for help isn't even necessary. (Although, when the time comes to do something more dynamic in font creation, you will find that the manual is a big help.) With that said, there is still a learning curve.
I don't think just anyone can "jump" into the program without a little bit of prior knowledge with some sort of design program. But having some bad experiences with font software in the past, Fontographer 5 is a big sigh of relief. Taking a look at most fonts you would think that making one wouldn't be that hard, and for a while that just was not true. Now it seems Fontographer has bridged the gap between the Photoshop/Illustrator graphic design world and the traditional font creation world. This works out perfectly for someone like me (and the majority of our readers who are going to be helming the font creation portion of their project).
The font window lays everything out in a hassle free fashion, allowing the user to easily see where each and every character is placed.
Depth of Options
I found the options with the program to be exciting. It has been said that this program was created with
the "designer"-minded creator, finding a way to get the job done without bogging down the creative process with long hours of traditional font creation is the goal. I was able to make my basic designs in Photoshop (the program I am most comfortable in) and then perfect them in Illustrator. After which I imported the characters into Fontographer 5 with minimal fixes. This was a godsend to me, since there were no hiccups or hang ups. Way to go Font Lab! Looking around, there seems to be a grand scale of options even for the user who prefers to design their fonts solely with this program. An interesting tool is the ability to change the weight of a font, which can automatically generate a different thickness.
Spacing between letters is also easily changeable either automatically or from your custom settings.
Utilizing the Font Window makes the design positions easy to see and coordinate. If you have something extra you wish to import that isn't a typical character, figuring out the place to put it is simple. (For instance, if you had a character version of your logo you could bring it in place it where the "$" would typically go.) Conversion of font formats is also possible with Fontographer 5, which currently supports OpenType, TrueType, and PostScript (Type 1 or 3).
Spacing options are automatically set or can be custom ordered in the advanced settings.
Even for a beginner, the depth of options are obvious. After my in-depth exploration of this program over the last month, as I learn even more about this program, I can tell I am still only on the verge of what it's capabilities are.
As an option that actually ties into the prior Ease of Use section, Fontographer also includes two folders of sample files to work with. These folders contain everything from actual font/character files to vector-based .eps files. There is always more to learn and a program's design should make you want to learn more about it, not tempt you to throw your hands up and walk away. Thankfully FontLab has designed this software with the idea to entice you to learn.
The font information panel lets you enter basic information as well as more detailed documentation in the advanced level.
Performance
As already mentioned, in the past I have had some issues with other font software, which made the excellent performance of this software all the more welcome. I really don't have anything bad to say about Fontographer 5. It loads quickly and exports fast. The speed of the program itself is on par with any other design software out there. The compatibility with Photoshop and Illustrator is very impressive and helps people like me focus more on the design end of things. In my mind, a painter's brush doesn't hinder him from painting his vision, it helps him. Software should be the digital equivalent to a painter's brush! Yes it will always take time to master the usage of the brush, but the brush shouldn't get in your way. Sometimes clunky design or poor performance drags down creation in the digital world, but, with the newest iteration of Fontographer, Font Lab really got it right.
The two folders of sample options are very helpful during the design process.
Value
With a price tag of almost 400 bucks, obviously you have to put things into perspective about whether you need to create your own fonts. However, if you do, then, when you compare Fontographer 5 to some of the other font creation software out there, I'd say it's a pretty good price. (It's already $250 cheaper than FontLab's own Font Lab Studio program, which isn't nearly as easy to use or as compatible with newer systems.)
Are there cheaper alternatives? Yes they do exist but in my experience you're not going to find a better font program than this. Even some of the more expensive ones I've played around with can't compete with the level of design and thought put into this program. Looking at it through the microfilmmker POV, like I said before, you have to ask yourself "What is my overall budget?", "What are my goals with this project?", and "Is using $400 of my budget on font creation necessary?" That call is up to you, but if you choose to spend the money on Fontographer 5, in my opinion, it's money well spent. Especially if your going for a larger marketing effort that encourages people to play in your creative world, such as the World of Depleted does.
Final Comments While not every filmmaker needs to create their own font, it's great to know that, if you would find it useful to be able to do so, there is a powerful program like Fontographer 5 available. For folks who need this, the pricing is extremely reasonable and the learning curve is extremely manageable! If you're in the market, then you owe it to yourself to check out their demo! Good luck with your own creative visions!
Ease
of Use
9.0
Depth
of Options
9.5
Performance
9.5
Value
vs. Cost
8.0
Overall Score
9.0
Craig McDaniel has worked in the entertainment industry for almost a decade. Serving in art department, project management, graphic design, screenwriting and directing etc. His work has carried him to the cities of Orlando, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Craig’s resume includes projects with CBS, MTV, VH1, SyFy, Turner Broadcasting, Victoria’s Secret, Coca-Cola and many more. Currently he is forming a new production company with his girlfriend Kelly Thomas which will offer quality and affordable promotional material for various businesses in the southeast. Also in the loop for Neggwerkz (a production company that was co-founded with Cinematographer Nathan Eckelbarger) is a full length feature to shoot in 2011.
Font creation is something I have always been interested in but never really had the reason to get involved with. Until now. 
