Modular Typeface Redo, In Progress

I spent part of last week trying to redo my modular typeface. Instead of using an unmanageable 6 modular pieces, I am now working with only 3. On Tuesday, Amber was kind enough to work with me on my basic concept; she got me back to using symmetrical forms instead of the artsy, irregular forms I was (unsuccessfully) working with. It was very helpful to watch her process of manipulating my basic concept to make the modules take as tiny as possible (in order to take maximum advantage of mirroring & rotation).

The page we worked on to get the final modules is shown below. My initial ideation is on the right half of the page. Amber worked on the left half, showing me how to make my modules behave similarly to what I had, but also work within the grid constructs (since, before, I'd just sorta broken the forms wherever I felt like it).


This is a screenshot of the 3 basic forms we ended up with in InDesign (along with some mirror images of them):

Below, you'll see my attempt to build the typface using only these 3 modules. It is going better than my first modular version did, but I'm struggling with maintaining consistent x-heights, cap-heights, and getting D to not look like G. Although certain grouping of letters look like they match {m,n,r,u,v,w}, {b,d,g,h,p,q,y}, {A,B,E,F,P,R}, {U,V,W...}, the groups don't really match one another. The shapes used for minuscule bowl letters don't translate very well into {m,n,r,u,v,w} and they all look funny together because they're different heights. I have a similar problem with stems on majuscule and ascenders/descenders on minuscule letters - two stacked yellow shapes make a nice, straightish form, but they are one pixel shorter than all the letters using the red+yellow stem/ascenders/descenders in {b,d,g,h,p,q,y} & {A,B,E,F,P,R}.

I really like the overall look on the typeface - it's almost techno-calligraphic or something. Not sure exactly how I would describe it. I think I might see things differently if the modules were all the same color, but I actually enjoy the playfulness of the colored modules moving across the page. It's almost like the red modules are doing cartwheels. Or all the modules are involved in some bad 80s strobe-light dance... :)

More to do!