How to Create Fonts on Your iPad with Fontself

Why Create Fonts on the iPad?

Hey there, Creatives! Ever thought about crafting your very own fonts? Well, guess what? Your iPad is the perfect buddy for this fun project.

Your iPad: The Everywhere Studio 

First off, the iPad is like a mini design studio you can take anywhere. Imagine doodling font ideas while sipping your morning coffee at the local café or sketching letters in your cozy bed. No heavy equipment, no fuss. Just you, your iPad, and a world of creativity at your fingertips.

Touch, Draw, and Have Fun!

With an iPad's paired with an Apple Pencil, you can draw, scribble, and design directly on the screen. It feels natural, almost like pen on paper, but without the need to digitize your designs later.

Tools Needed for Font Creation

Alright, before we dive deep into our font-making journey, let's gather our creative tools, here's what we'll need:

Hardware

iPad: Any iPad will do, but if you've got one with a bigger screen, that's a bonus. More room to play around with your designs!

Apple Pencil: It's not just a stylus; it's your paintbrush, your pencil, your chalk... you get the idea. It's super precise, making it perfect for those tiny tweaks in your font design.

Software

Fontself: This app is like a fun playground for font creation. It's user-friendly, so even if you're new to this, you'll feel right at home. Plus, it's packed with cool features to help bring your font visions to life.

iFont: Once you've crafted your masterpiece (aka your font), you'll want to show it off, right? iFont is like the wardrobe where you store and try on your fonts. It helps you install them on your iPad so you can use them in all your apps.

Creating Your Own Fonts: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Choosing a Template in Fontself or Importing a Background Image for Tracing:

   • Templates: Think of these as your guiding stars. Fontself has some cool templates to kickstart your project.
   • Background Images: Got a doodle or a sketch you love? Bring it into Fontself! You can trace over it and transform that scribble into a stunning font. It's like turning your favorite drawing into a digital masterpiece.

2. Building Your Font in Fontself:

   • Design Time: Here's where the magic happens. Craft each letter, number, and symbol. Remember, there's no right or wrong. It's YOUR font. Want a wacky 'Z' or a curly 'Q'? Go for it!
   • Spacing and Adjustments: Once you've got your characters, play around with the spacing. It's like arranging furniture in a room – you want everything to feel just right.

3. Installing Your Font on the iPad Using the iFont App:

   • Show It Off: After all that hard work, it's time to flaunt it! iFont makes it super easy to get your font onto your iPad. It's like adding a new outfit to your wardrobe.
   • Use It Everywhere: Write notes, send messages, or create posts using YOUR font. Trust me, it's going to feel amazing.

Handwriting to Font: Making It Personal

• Converting Handwriting to Font: This is where the magic happens. Imagine your grocery list or that sweet note you wrote becoming a font. Yep, it's possible, and it's all kinds of awesome. With tools like Fontself, you can digitize your unique handwriting style and use it everywhere!

• Apps to Turn Handwriting into Font: Okay, so Fontself is my favorite, but there are other cool apps out there too. Whether you're looking to capture the essence of your cursive or the quirkiness of your quick notes.

• Handwriting Fonts on iPhone: Why stop at the iPad? Take your personal font on the go with your iPhone. You can download your font file on you iPhone and install with ifont app.

Handwriting Recognition on iPad

• From Handwriting to Text in Goodnotes: So, you've jotted down some notes during a brainstorming session, with the power of the iPad, those handwritten words can transform into crisp, digital text.

• Using Scribble on iPad: If you haven't met Scribble yet, you're in for a treat! It's Apple's cool feature that recognizes your handwriting and converts it into text. Just write naturally with your Apple Pencil, and Scribble does the rest. It's like magic, but techy!

Tips for a Successful Font Design

• Consistency is Key: Think of your font as a family. Each letter, number, and symbol should feel related. So, whether it's the width, height, or style, try to keep things consistent. It's like making sure all the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly.

• Mind the Gaps with Good Kerning: Ever seen fonts where letters either squish together or drift apart? That's kerning for you! Spend some time adjusting the space between characters. It's like ensuring everyone in a group photo is perfectly spaced – no one's too close or too far!

• Test in Different Contexts: Once you've designed your font, use it! Write a note, create a headline, or type out a paragraph. See how it looks in different sizes and settings. It's like trying on an outfit in different lighting – you want to make sure it looks great everywhere.

• Feedback is Your Friend: Share your font with friends, family, or fellow font enthusiasts. Fresh eyes can spot things you might have missed and offer valuable insights. Remember, every piece of feedback is a step closer to perfection.

• Stay Inspired: The world around you is brimming with inspiration. From nature to architecture, keep your eyes open and your sketchbook ready. Every curve, line, or pattern can spark a font idea.