18 votes

Hey, Computer, Make Me a Font

Tags: ai

8 comments

  1. [7]
    Maelstrom
    Link
    Very cool project. The final results weren’t fonts I’d actually use, though I’m sure with refinement it will get there. Makes me a bit sad though as I’d always thought it might be fun to make a...

    Very cool project. The final results weren’t fonts I’d actually use, though I’m sure with refinement it will get there.
    Makes me a bit sad though as I’d always thought it might be fun to make a font and now learning how seems redundant.

    3 votes
    1. [5]
      JakeTheDog
      Link Parent
      I wouldn't think of it that way. AI-based generators are tools, but without any explicit direction. In both textual and visual mediums, a user of these tools can produce far more interesting and...

      Makes me a bit sad though as I’d always thought it might be fun to make a font and now learning how seems redundant.

      I wouldn't think of it that way. AI-based generators are tools, but without any explicit direction. In both textual and visual mediums, a user of these tools can produce far more interesting and useful results if they are familiar with the theory behind it. Having a sense of style will always be personal. When you learn the theory and develop your own style, that's when the real magic happens, regardless of what tools you use.

      If you want some inspiration specifically for typeface, I recommend season 2 episode 6 of the Netflix series "Abstract: The Art of Design".

      8 votes
      1. [4]
        Maelstrom
        Link Parent
        It’s that the threshold to a skill just got that much higher. I don’t doubt that someone skilled will create something nicer than a generated font, but the point where it becomes worth all the...

        It’s that the threshold to a skill just got that much higher. I don’t doubt that someone skilled will create something nicer than a generated font, but the point where it becomes worth all the practice is further away.

        Though this sentiment might be a reflection of my tendency to stick with an interest just long enough to feel I’ve got a solid understanding before I move to the next thing.

        Either way I’ll check out that ep for sure, thanks.

        2 votes
        1. [3]
          JakeTheDog
          Link Parent
          Actually, what I meant is that with the theory and your own style you can use the very same generative tools with more finesse and quality than you would otherwise. Arguably on par with experts...

          Actually, what I meant is that with the theory and your own style you can use the very same generative tools with more finesse and quality than you would otherwise. Arguably on par with experts that are trained with the traditional tools.

          These AI tools remove the need for so much practice to master the instrument that was once necessary. Although there still is value in learning the instruments, they’re no longer necessary if you’re just after the final product. The remaining factors are essentially creativity and your ability to express your thoughts.

          2 votes
          1. [2]
            CptBluebear
            Link Parent
            I think you two are showing the dichotomy between the sentiments that stoke the flame of AI discussions. One sees futility, the level of skill required as a human increased significantly with the...

            I think you two are showing the dichotomy between the sentiments that stoke the flame of AI discussions.

            One sees futility, the level of skill required as a human increased significantly with the advent of generative AI. Is it even worth learning the skill anymore?

            The other sees opportunity, the level of skill required diminishes as the AI provides a new baseline. Anyone that shows an increased level of skill and creativity over that threshold can extract more from generative AI than someone without. It is worth learning, you can steer an AI more successfully.

            I tend to lean towards the latter, but I can emphatise dearly with artists that feel like they're being classed out of a market by a single stroke (pun unintended).

            5 votes
            1. JakeTheDog
              Link Parent
              Totally, you hit the nail on the head (assuming Maelstrom didn’t misinterpret my post, which was my first thought and why I replied to clarify). I will add that I also feel both sides. My...

              Totally, you hit the nail on the head (assuming Maelstrom didn’t misinterpret my post, which was my first thought and why I replied to clarify).

              I will add that I also feel both sides. My professional career has relied heavily on my writing. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a moment of “ah fuck, I’m not going to have my edge anymore”. I’ve had a few actually, even when my colleagues seemed to have improved their writing seemingly overnight. And yet, I use an LLM at least a handful of times a day and even tutor my friends and colleagues on how to use them effectively.

              In my reply above I wanted to emphasize that it’s still worth learning both the theory and a sense of style, to be the pilot of these machines, because that’s really the lesson I’ve learned from my own discomforts with them.

              2 votes
    2. Akir
      Link Parent
      It's actually really easy to make fonts. There are tools that make it as easy as drawing in any given vector art program. I've actually made several throwaway fonts. The problem, though, is that...

      It's actually really easy to make fonts. There are tools that make it as easy as drawing in any given vector art program. I've actually made several throwaway fonts. The problem, though, is that it's an art, and as such there can be a pretty wide gap between what you can make as a novice and what looks good.

      4 votes