I got in touch with Marsi Desino through the TypeClinic Facebook group. I thought she would be great to work with, since she's currently doing a Masters at Type Design at Reading - The best Type Design course in the world.
- Joe Leadbeater
Hey Marsi, I've not met you before, but I saw you liked my post on Type Clinic. I was just wondering if you would like to be involved in the project? You can design as much or as little as you want! 
Marsi Desino
Sure, I'd like to be involved in your project. I think it is and interesting idea even I am not sure the typeface will be useful at the end. I would like to be part of this. I am currently studying the Master in Type Design in Reading. So I am not going to have much time, I think a couple of glyphs would be good. Just let me know when if you need my help.
Joe Leadbeater
Yeah I agree, it might work, it also may not, but to experiment it will be fun. Thanks a lot, I'll let you know when it's started. I understand that you are very busy, but even a little amount of work will be really appreciated. Thank you!- 21 December 2014
- Joe Leadbeater
Hey Marsi! would you still be interested in working on the project? You do not have to produce much! - Joe Leadbeater
Great! I must warn you, the deadline for finishing the typeface is the end of 2014. This leaves me a week to design a specimen very quickly! - Joe Leadbeater
I would suggest picking 3 or 4 numerals to work on, and let me know which you choose. I am sending the file to other people, so I want to make sure they do not choose the same numbersBefore you say, the metrics still need a lot of work, but I will work on that later! - Joe Leadbeater
As a reminder: Please take screenshots of your progress to send back to me. I want to make sure you get the credit you deserve on the project, and need to show my tutors how you have added! - Marsi Desino
Ok! I will have a look to it and will let you know about what numbers I chooseOld style or lining figures? - 22 December 2014
- Joe Leadbeater
Hey, have you decided which characters you plan to add? I need to know because other people want to help now and I need to make sure you do not do the same characters! - Marsi Desino
Hi Joe, I send you the 75£ sketch What do you think? I have to make the top part of the 5 thinner. Even though in the rest of the typeface there is no roundness, I thing those circle terminals should be one of the main features in the design of numbers. Could you send me the image of the inscription you based the design on in high quality? I tried to see the details of the shapes. - Joe Leadbeater
Hi Marsi. It looks great! I agree with you about the terminals.. in fact if you look at the J, it also has a similar shape. And of course numerals can always be slightly different to the other characters. The proportions on the 5 look really nice too. - Joe Leadbeater
Unfortunately the reference image isn't a really high quality, and is mostly a basis to work from. The final design doesn't have to match the reference too much, because the reference isn't very consistent. You will also see that the characters designed already follow modern proportions, unlike the classic proportions in the reference! - Joe Leadbeater
Well if you can digitalise what you have done, and keep that version too it would be great. I like the idea of including alternate characters. We could use the original, more 'fun' £, but also one which is more consistent and flowing!But so far, you have done a really good job so thank you very much - 22 December 2014
- Marsi Desino
Hi Joe,I send you the file with number 5 designed. So you can use some of the element for other numbers. I made some design decisions: - I did the circle ending smaller than the one en the J. - The height fits the cap height. Sometimes numbers are a bit smaller, but I thought it would be easier to make the the designs from different people work. - In the inscription this number is a bit more slanted. But I think it works better a bit more upright.I will send you number 7 and £ symbol as soon as I finish themI attach also some pictures of the sketch. - Joe Leadbeater
Great stuff! I think the 5 works really well, when compared against the other characters. The weight looks right, and the terminal is a good size. Any thicker and I think it would be too heavy overall. Keep up the good work Marsi! - 23 December 2014
- Marsi Desino
Hi, I send you number 7 too. There are 2 different layer with different designs. I would choose the one used as master (I think numbers should be easily differenciate from letters). The other one fits better with the serifs in the letters (but I think is too constructivist). Anyway you can choose the one you like better.P.S. I promise to send you the sterling symbol before the end of the week. But it will take me a bit longer because I also have to work in my typeface these days. - Joe Leadbeater
once again, it looks really good. I think the option without the extra serif works better, as the serif will give too much negative space around the 7I understand about the pound sign, you can take your time with it! - 26 December 2014
- Marsi Desino
Hi Joe,Here it goes, the sterling symbol. I hope you like it. I am looking forward to seeing the full project.Regards,María - 26 December 2014
- Joe Leadbeater
Great! It looks really nice. I think it's really unique and gives the typeface something differentMarsi's Final Characters:
Overall I'm really happy with the characters Marsi has added. I was worried that a lot of the character had been taken out of the typeface for functionality, but I feel the numerals that have been added by Marsi have inspired me to create the rest of the set with much more character.
