Introduce dotted handwriting font

[jadboy20]

Hi!

This font is extremely helpful towards teachers, especially for those who work at schools that use Google Workspace. This font is especially handy because teachers usually use TTF files in windows, and may have to alternate between Microsoft Word and Google Docs when creating resources (which is very inconvenient). With this font, teachers can use Google Docs and not have to switch between the two document processors.

In saying that, one feature that would be extremely handy is dotted font. Teachers use dotted font when creating resources for students to trace. This would be an extremely impactful addition to the already great collection of fonts. Some NSW font examples can be found here for your reference.

[MezMerrit]

Thanks for the feedback. I had no idea that teachers had to switch back and forth, what a pain! So glad we could help.

I'm working on the designs for dotted fonts atm, while the engineers work on the roll out of precursive variations for teachers from years 3/4+. I can pre-release dotted versions here - and, since you raised your hand first, I'll focus on completing your State first... which State might that be? NSW?

Also, from the examples you gave, which would be more helpful to have first?

[jadboy20]

Thank you so much for getting back to me.

This is awesome stuff you and your team are doing. I'm sure a lot of teachers would appreciate this.

Regarding the state, that would be NSW.

The fonts that would be helpful are:

1. Foundation Outline
2. Foundation Dots
3. Foundation Bold

The fonts have been numbered from most helpful (1.) to not as helpful (3.). (Not as helpful is still helpful!). They have been referenced from the link I provided in my first comment.

Thank you again so much.

[MezMerrit]

Thanks for the list, they're ALL most helpful to me as I wasn't sure which order was more important. It's good to get it from a teacher.

I had started working on Bubbles as my best guess, but I can jump on foundation outline shortly and get it out the way first, then dots. (note to self: ditch bubbles).

As for Bold, you should already have it in your Google Workspace. Please let us know if this is not the case.

Just so we're clear, "pre-release them here" means on GitHub for you to download. The team who'd have the last say as to what goes into your Google Workspace and when are on break until August - we would have to raise it with them.

[jadboy20]

Hi!

Ill be honest, I'm actually requesting this on behalf of my wife who is a primary school teacher. She doesn't have a GitHub account, so going through me was easier for her. She really appreciated this!

Thank you for letting me know about the team who imports it. That shouldn't be a problem it being released in August. She can also give the font a test run as well in the meantime.

[MezMerrit]

All good. She's a teacher so BONUS!!

As a general rule, teachers have access to a lot more info about the Edu Dept requirements & standards than we do, so all feedback is welcomed. We'd like more teachers to get involved as we progress with the font family development to make absolutely sure they are up to AU standards.

I'm in the process of making a parents & teachers friendly website so they don't have to navigate the complexities of GitHub. Hopefully I can knock it out in the next few days - here's the link for your wife's future reference https://www.auschoolhandwritingfonts.com/

[MezMerrit]

Could you please ask Mrs Jadboy to take a look at these two samples and provide some feedback?

This sample is showing the weights I think might be helpful: Condensed, Medium and Expanded.

This sample is showing the letter spacing: essentially the same spacing as the current "NSW ACT Bold" in her workspace right now.

Let me know if she thinks there should be more letter spacing - or whatever her suggestions might be.

Thanks in advance.

[danielledixon94]

Hi Mez,

I am Danielle (Jadboy's wife) and a kindergarten teacher. Our school, like many others, are expecting that programs and resources are created and made available on Google Suite. They are moving away from the Microsoft Suite. This has been okay for older students, however younger students struggle with seeing letters in different forms and correct letter formation is a crucial outcome to be achieved in Kindergarten.

I have been using Microsoft suite (as well as my grade partners) to create my resources for students that have text. My students are often tracing or copying words or sentences across a number of subjects. Our school has licences for NSW Foundation Font and NSW Print - these fonts are available in the Microsoft suite.

Currently, I create resources in Microsoft Word and I write my programs in Google Docs. When I explained the situation to my husband, he found your font within the Google Docs application. I think you have done a wonderful job with creating the NSW Font.

Also, I think the outline version of the NSW Font looks fantastic. When I was teaching sounds, we had students practise writing the letter within the outline. There would be an arrow anda dot to show the starting point and direction when forming the letter. I have attached a screenshot of the outline I use - it would be fantastic if there was an option to have the dot and arrow.

When I return to work on Monday, I will try and grab some photos of the students' work :)

Thank you again for creating this font in the Google suite. It will help teachers to create and share resources and it saves a lot of time.

Danielle :)

[MezMerrit]

Hi Danielle

Thanks so much for the feedback.

As the rest of the USA team are currently on summer breaks, I'm working on my own atm so your assistance/advice is greatly appreciated.

I spoke with Google Fonts last week and got confirmation that outline and dots can be added to Google Workspaces, once we've finished developing and onboarding them.

I'll throw some arrows and starting dots into the mix over the next few days and provide a download for you to install on your computer so you can assess its suitability and/or suggest changes - if you're up for it.

:)

[danielledixon94]

Hi Mez,

Sorry for the delay in getting these images to you. I have tried to include different contexts that the fonts are often used for.

Also I have attached a pdf with the alphabet and the starting points for reference if needed.

Font with starting points.pdf

I am very grateful that this has been made possible. :)

Danielle

[MezMerrit]

Thanks heaps Danielle!

Sorry for not replying earlier. Had some equipment malfunctions that took a little while to sort out, but back on board now.

These pictures and the PDF are super helpful. We'll see how we go turning these into webfonts for your workspaces :)

[MezMerrit]

Hi!

Ready for you to test the font in MSWord. Let me know if the arrows are legible enough etc. You can download the .ttf here:

https://github.com/MezMerrit/AU-School-Handwriting-Fonts/tree/main/NSW-ACT-School-Fonts/fonts/outline-test

If you want to see the outline without the arrows, choose Format > Font and in the dialog box that opens, click Advanced and then click the Stylistic Sets menu. It's called "No arrows". Let me know if there's any changes I should make.

Mez

[MezMerrit]

Dotted version is up too now

https://github.com/MezMerrit/AU-School-Handwriting-Fonts/tree/main/NSW-ACT-School-Fonts/fonts/dotted-test

[davelab6]

@EbenSorkin where are we at with these versions? :)

[EbenSorkin]

I am not sure. I need to discuss with Tina but I hope we can resolve any remaining design and technical issues.

The big question I have to start is if there was any point in bringing the Breim join model to bear or if we will just stick with the existing join model.

Once we know that the rest should slot into place nicely.

-e.

On Thu, Feb 23, 2023 at 2:45 AM Dave Crossland @.***> wrote:

@EbenSorkin https://github.com/EbenSorkin where are we at with these versions? :)

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[danielledixon94]

Hi Mez,

Sorry for the late reply,

I am just catching up on emails.

The font looks great from the screenshots. I couldn't click the links earlier in the thread.

I love how you can choose to have the arrows or no arrows.

Thank you for the work you have done so far.

Danielle

On Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 8:52 AM Eben Sorkin @.***> wrote:

I am not sure. I need to discuss with Tina but I hope we can resolve any remaining design and technical issues.

The big question I have to start is if there was any point in bringing the Breim join model to bear or if we will just stick with the existing join model.

Once we know that the rest should slot into place nicely.

-e.

On Thu, Feb 23, 2023 at 2:45 AM Dave Crossland @.***> wrote:

@EbenSorkin https://github.com/EbenSorkin where are we at with these versions? :)

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub < https://github.com/MezMerrit/AU-School-Handwriting-Fonts/issues/12#issuecomment-1441321119 , or unsubscribe < https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAQUQXMX2F7MELCNGUTDXFLWY4IS3ANCNFSM53ZIVG5Q

. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>

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