A Study on Diversification of Korean font classification System

Transcription

1 A Study on Diversification of Korean font classification System - Eunmi Sohn*, Hyunju Lee**, Yoonmi Hong*** *Yonsei University College of Human Environment & Design 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemungu, Seoul , Korea; damha@yonsei.ac.kr **Yonsei University College of Human Environment & Design; hyunju@yonsei.ac.kr *** Yonsei University College of Human Environment & Design; miyahhh@yonsei.ac.kr Abstract: As the digital technology is progressing, personal computer users can be the user and a server of digital information. For effective communication on digital media, Hangul font users are increasing and accordingly their needs and tastes are diversified. Therefore new and various Hangul fonts are developed and used. But under the present font classification system, it is difficult to compare and analyze these various fonts. And present classification system is not appropriate method to be the font user's guide for practical use of various Hangul fonts. For the better use of Hangul fonts, developing font classification system focused on personal users is needed. The purpose of this study is to build classification standards for the Hangul font classification system for personal computer users. In this study, the present font classification system and the present conditions of development and use of Hangul fonts on personal computers are analyzed. Based on the research, I propose two classification standards: First is the image classification based on the visual images of each Hangul font. Image classification categorizes fonts by visual image that each font has. This classification can help the synesthetic use of fonts in multimedia environment. Second is the usage classification based on the font's proper usage in various media. This classification can be the guideline for proper use of fonts. For the development of various typographically balanced Hangul fonts and for the suitable and effective use of the various fonts, we must try to build the font classification system that helps personal users apply to practical use. Through these studies, we can expect the development of good quality fonts and the better use of Hangul fonts. Key words: Korean Fonts, Classification System, Diversification 1. Introduction Due to common use of computer and advanced Internet, it is the tendency that the number of font users has increased and also the standard of selecting font has been diversified. Therefore it is requested of the font name system and font classification system, which support proper font supplies and usage. At first, the research of the current status of Hangul font development is included in this study with regard of current changing digital environment. Besides, based on the analysis of present Hangul font classification system of Korea Hangul Font Development Institute, proper direction of classification system which can keep step with being progressed environment of digital font is proposed. This study will support smooth communication between font researchers and various enterprises or specific groups. Simultaneously, it will be the foundation source to develop Hangul font classification system that helps for general users to use Hangul font more objectively and systemically. It is expected to get certain effects that extend the range of Hangul usages in digital environment and promote the value of information to deliver and also effects that expand the utilization of

2 existing developed Hangul font. 2. The defects of current status of Hangul font development and classification system in Korea According to the survey by Korea Hangul Font Development Institute, over 1,200 kinds of font were developed until 1998 and over 230 kinds of font were developed for one year in1999. Also, 165 kinds of font were born in the year of 2000(1). Moreover, it is assumed that there are more than 2,000 kinds of Hangul font in 2002 at present, considering newborn company or personal developer not included in data. According to sample font books presented by several Hangul font developing companies in Korea, font names, in other words character names, from every companies have different classification system and diverse font titles(2). Therefore, another basis of study is necessary so as to clearly compare and analyze new developed fonts by each developing company under consistently established system. To understand the development status classified by structural characteristics of font, and to seize the real state of formative repetition of previously developed Hangul fonts, 1,211 kinds images of fonts were collected actually from the database of Korea Hangul Font Development Institute. The basis of classification was divided by three standards. Frame of fonts is 1 st standard of classification, and 2 nd is serif what is a formative element of stroke. And also it is reclassified by 3rd standard, which is an image of font. 5 professional typographers at the instance of researchers through three times accomplished analysis. The results of analysis are the following as table 1& 2. Table 1. Reclassification of fonts according to the nature of frame and stroke Square frame Off-square Frame Total San Serif Serif Total Total 1,211 Table 2. Reclassification of similar fonts Total numbers Number of similar Differential Rate of Font group Image Square/ Serif % Square/ San Serif % Off-Square / Serif % Off-Square/ San Serif % 1, % The fact of around one-third of all developed fonts were deviated from square frame shows the critical point of existing classification system of Off-Square Frame that will be mentioned later on. Furthermore, the low rate of differences in image comparing to total numbers means that the diversification of fonts couldn t reach the number of fonts itself. Korea Hangul Font Development Institute provides total 1436 kinds of fonts from 12 font developing company in 2002 at present online database. Hangul fonts that classified and recorded with 9 types of typical fonts:

3 Batang, Dotum, Graphic, Gulim, Pilsa, Symbol, Traditional, Off-square frame, Etc. Even though this classification system has been applied as the basic classification system of Hangul font, it still has several problems. 2.1 Defects of standard classification system 9 kinds of standard classification system of Korea Hangul font Development Institute are not united in shape, usage, era and so on. Even in one standard Shape, there are another standards such as shape of stroke, shape of frame and meaning of shape. Furthermore, these various standards have different priority rule to apply for every classifications, so even some fonts belong to the same standard of classification, inconsistent and vague aspect still remains. Table 3. Standards of Classification system Standard of Classification Shape Shape of Shape of Usage Meaning of Shape Stroke Frame Batang O O Text Dodum O O Graphic O O Gulim O O Pilsa Symbol Hand writing type fonts Symbolic Line Head Traditional Symbolic O Off-Square Frame O Etc. Era These kinds of standard hold the possibility for each main font to be classified voluntarily, and these kinds of standard also carry out Etc. as one of classification standard, which is vague. In addition, non-systemic standard of classification could give hard time for users, who want to find their favorite fonts, not to use easy and various databases. 2.2 Defects of Off-Square Frame Classification Number of Off-Square Frame fonts mentioned on the database of Korea Hangul Font Development Institute is 239, and it occupied around 17% of total number of 1,436 fonts. However, according to above charts which reclassified based on the structure of Square/Off-Square frame, the number of fonts that belong to Off-Square Frame takes 35% of total number of fonts actually: Square Frame was 783 and Off Square Frame was 428 under morphologic construction. It shows that existing classification system, named Off- Square Frame that is based on Square Frame, has a limitation to keep step with the real world where various fonts of Off Square Frame have been developing vigorously.

4 2.3 Defects of Name Since every company applies different standard of classification in giving new name to font, current font developing companies in Korea have difficulty in general study of current situation of font development based on font name, Also, the fact that terms of classification system are not analogical and clear is another controversial point. Current classification system seems to be extended by unclassified fonts, which are lately developed and could not be classified through previous system, accompanied with the progress of diverse Hangul font development. However, as mentioned above, current standard of classification is inconsistent. Of course, the terms of classification system are not consistent either. Unless the terms of classification system are analogical and clear to make various level users easily understood, the effective use of Hangul font is hardly expected. 3. Diversification of classification system for font development Current environment of font is getting more users who deal with Hangul font under advanced digital technique, and Hangul fonts, which show diverse formative characteristics, have been developing briskly in the flood of information. And it is also noticeable various font design skills are invented such as web font. If various font classification systems are developed with consideration of digital environment, characteristics of Hangul, individuality of users and if the organic font database based on this system is successfully invented, it is expected that it would be much more helpful to develop high quality and various Hangul fonts. In this study, versatile font classification standard as the following is proposed, based on above analysis, as the first step to build such an organic font database. 3.1 Classification by structure Classification by structure means sorting Hangul structurally, and this method considers structural peculiarity of Hangul, which has combinative characters. According to the position of datum line, Off-Square frame letter can also have various structures such as first consonant datum line structure, font center datum line structure, structure change according to the change of assembling type,(3) and so on. Structure of Hangul is the powerful element, which effects to Hangul mechanization. Considering efficiency and function of mechanization, and the possibility to be read in every kind of media, structure of Hangul should be considered as a primary element when Hangul font is developed in the digital environment. 3.2 Classification by Image Classification by Image means sorting the images fonts have into the sensitive image for synesthetic information delivery. Font image delivers not only the optically formative beauty, but also delivers various sensitivities according to the following: Lee, Hyun-ju(Study of Visual image of Hangul font I, Article No. 19, 1993, DaeJeon Junior College) and Jang Dong Hoon, Hong Eun Jung ( The Study of Usage of typography at on-line based on user s senses). It will be possible to deliver more valuable and more effective information, considering content of literal information and visual image of font simultaneously. 3.3 Classification by Usage Classification by usage means sorting fonts by media and service purpose under consideration of the possibility to be read, intensive observation, and sensitive image, it could be the foundation to overcome habitual

5 sense in Hangul font and also could be the basis to promote proper use of various fonts with. In addition, it will present the guideline in using font to amateur typographer. 4. Conclusion In this study, it is proposed that classification system installation based on characteristics of Hangul font is necessary, in order to support to develop highly completed font and to support proper and effective conjugation of Hangul fonts. Three standards of classification were suggested as the device of classification. If each classification standard is concretized, and the research for further study follows up, and if it constructs on-line database of Hangul font based on suggested standards of classification and if the consistent font collection through on-line and the comparative analysis are accomplished, it will not only be the foundation to develop various and highly completed fonts, and but also be the best tool to upgrade utilization of Hangul font in digital environment. References 1. Park Byung-cheon, Han Moon-hee, Status of Hangul font development in 2000, font 2000, Korea font development Institute, Park Byung-cheon, Status of 98 Hangul font development and actual conditions, font 1998, Korea font development Institute, 1998, p Ahn Sang Soo, Han Jae Joon, Hangul Design, Ahn Graphics, 2002, p.28