Briem’s notes on type design: o-group one: the letter o¶

The o-group is a gathering of curved letters. The letter s isn’t closely related to the others.

To make the outer path of the letter o, start with the outer path of the capital letter. Shrink it vertically to the midline. Next shrink it horizontally about a third. Then slant it about 9 degrees. That will do the job.

Start the countershape with the inner path from the capital letter O. The distance between the right side of the inner and outer paths should be the same as in other lower-case curves. You can measure the letter a, for example.

Next shrink the path vertically about a third. Put the same space above and below it inside the outer path.

Then shrink it vertically until the left curve is the same width as the right curve.

Finally slant the inner path by 3 to 4 degrees. Make sure again that both sides of the letter are the same width.