A window-based method for automatic typographic parameter extraction

The synthesis of existing fonts with characters represented by parameterized structure elements requires determination of a set of font-specific global and local parameters. Parameters comprise, for example, the widths of vertical stems, horizontal bars and curved elements, the spacing between vertical stems, the relative position of the junction between arches and vertical bars and serif measures. These parameters need to be extracted from existing outline fonts. The paper presents a window based method for locating within existing outline characters the position of character features from which parameters can be measured. The method is based on the match between outline characters and their corresponding virtual skeleton

Reverse Digital Typography

In this project, we study the problem of reconstructing parametrized fonts from scanned images. In the first part, we investigate high-resolution noise-free images. In the second part, we study the noisy images, where artefacts such as low-resolution and blurry edges come into play. We present the quad-tree spline fitting method to robustly reconstruct parametrized fonts in the presence of print-scan artefacts

Re-Typograph Phase I: a Proof-of-Concept for Typeface Parameter Extraction from Historical Documents

International audienceThis paper reports on the first phase of an attempt to create a full retro-engineering pipeline that aims to construct a complete set of coherent typographic parameters defining the typefaces used in a printed homogenous text. It should be stressed that this process cannot reasonably be expected to be fully automatic and that it is designed to include human interaction. Although font design is governed by a set of quite robust and formal geometric rulesets, it still heavily relies on subjective human interpretation. Furthermore, different parameters, applied to the generic rulesets may actually result in quite similar and visually difficult to distinguish typefaces, making the retro-engineering an inverse problem that is ill conditioned once shape distortions (related to the printing and/or scanning process) come into play. This work is the first phase of a long iterative process, in which we will progressively study and assess the techniques from the state-of-the-art that are most suited to our problem and investigate new directions when they prove to not quite adequate. As a first step, this is more of a feasibility proof-of-concept, that will allow us to clearly pinpoint the items that will require more in-depth research over the next iterations

StrokeStyles: Stroke-based Segmentation and Stylization of Fonts

We develop a method to automatically segment a font’s glyphs into a set of overlapping and intersecting strokes with the aim of generating artistic stylizations. The segmentation method relies on a geometric analysis of the glyph’s outline, its interior, and the surrounding areas and is grounded in perceptually informed principles and measures. Our method does not require training data or templates and applies to glyphs in a large variety of input languages, writing systems, and styles. It uses the medial axis, curvilinear shape features that specify convex and concave outline parts, links that connect concavities, and seven junction types. We show that the resulting decomposition in strokes can be used to create variations, stylizations, and animations in different artistic or design-oriented styles while remaining recognizably similar to the input font

How Favourable Attitudes are Formed when the Semantic Associations of a Logotype are Congruent with Brand Personality

This thesis explores how favourable attitudes are formed when the semantic associations of a logotype are congruent with brand personality. By analysing the attitude response to varying brands sets, the findings from this thesis indicate that congruency within the underlying connotations of the logotype and brand personality did in fact produce positive responses in both attitude and aesthetics. Through the congruency research in this thesis, several influential factors affecting the attitude formation process towards a brand have been found. These factors include varying degrees of font appropriateness effectiveness, the over-powering effect of semantic associations and how underlying consumer behaviour tendencies affect purchasing decisions. The methodology for this project drew on two surveys completed by approximately 200 participants. Two logotypes and two brand slogans are cross-paired with each other resulting in four "brand" variants containing congruent and incongruent brand elements. Findings from this thesis emphasise the importance of underlying semantic associations in typography, as well as bringing a fresh perspective for graphic designers, typographers and type designers to assist their future work with successful logotype design

Electromagnetic Eavesdropping

Protection of information against electromagnetic penetration is a huge challenge. Especially this issue applies to computer station that processes protected information and that is a source of electromagnetic disturbances. These disturbances could be correlated with processed graphic information. Therefore, very often, they are called valuable or unintentional emissions. To protect the information, different methods of engineering of electromagnetic compatibility are used, e.g. electromagnetic gaskets, signal and power filters and electromagnetic shielding. The use of these methods causes a special device to become very heavy, and the looks of such device aren’t nice. A new universal solution based on safe fonts is proposed. Safe fonts protect processed information against electromagnetic penetration in each case of graphic source of valuable emissions. These fonts protect not only Video Graphics Array (VGA) but also Digital Video Interface (DVI) standards. These fonts are also useful from electromagnetic protection’s point of view in the case of the use of laser printers. All analyses are based on images reconstructed from valuable emissions. These emissions are measured in a range of frequencies from 100 MHz to 1.5 GHz. Safe fonts are simple solution that counteract electromagnetic eavesdropping process. They can replace expensive solutions based on shielding, zoning and filtering

Text in Visualization: Extending the Visualization Design Space

This thesis is a systematic exploration and expansion of the design space of data visualization specifically with regards to text. A critical analysis of text in data visualizations reveals gaps in existing frameworks and the use of text in practice. A cross-disciplinary review across fields such as typography, cartography and technical applications yields typographic techniques to encode data into text and provides the scope for the expanded design space. Mapping new attributes, techniques and considerations back to well understood visualization principles organizes the design space of text in visualization. This design space includes: 1) text as a primary data type literally encoded into alphanumeric glyphs, 2) typographic attributes, such as bold and italic, capable of encoding additional data onto literal text, 3) scope of mark, ranging from individual glyphs, syllables and words; to sentences, paragraphs and documents, and 4) layout of these text elements applicable most known visualization techniques and text specific techniques such as tables. This is the primary contribution of this thesis (Part A and B). Then, this design space is used to facilitate the design, implementation and evaluation of new types of visualization techniques, ranging from enhancements of existing techniques, such as, extending scatterplots and graphs with literal marks, stem & leaf plots with multivariate glyphs and broader scope, and microtext line charts; to new visualization techniques, such as, multivariate typographic thematic maps; text formatted to facilitate skimming; and proportionally encoding quantitative values in running text – all of which are new contributions to the field (Part C). Finally, a broad evaluation across the framework and the sample visualizations with cross-discipline expert critiques and a metrics based approach reveals some concerns and many opportunities pointing towards a breadth of future research work now possible with this new framework. (Part D and E)

Computational models for expressive dimensional typography

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Media Arts & Sciences, 1999.Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-84).This thesis research explores the prospect of typographic forms, based on custom computational models, which can be faithfully realized only in a three-dimensional, interactive environment. These new models allow for manipulation of letter-form attributes including visual display, scale, two-dimensional structure and three dimensional sculptural form. In this research, each computational model must accommodate the variation in letter shapes, while trying to balance functional flexibility with the beauty and legibility of fine typography. In most cases, this thesis work approaches typography at the level of a single letter, looking at ways we can build living, expressive textual environments on the computer display.Peter Sungil Cho.S.M