Hangeul Font Classification System Proposal of a Network Structure for Improved Font Search Result Similarity

Background Typefaces are the fonts born out of the motive and context of their creation. Once formatted, however, it is not easy to specify the background, motive, and proposed usage of the fonts, because a typeface acquires a new context once it is incorporated into the context of the user's purpose of use and environment. The font search service is meaningful in that it helps users to find the optimal font for their intended use out of many fonts marked by complicated and diverse impressions. However, font classification systems that are applied in currently available Korean font search services use different font classification standards, making it difficult for users to judge objectively. In addition, it is difficult to update detailed specifications such as new types, shapes, and uses of the numerous fonts that are continuously created and available over time, and it is difficult for users to obtain accurate information about the font that they are looking for. In an ever-expanding font use environment and range, font search services should be changed to accommodate a large amount of font-related information so that users can organically obtain necessary information. Realizing this problem, this study reexamines the problems of font classification systems currently used in font search services and proposes a new direction and standards for the font classification system with a network structure that can organically combine and use a range of complex font classification information. Methods This study was conducted through theoretical examination and case analysis. In the case analysis, the font classification system selected as the subject of this study, was analyzed to find out how it is utilized in the current font search services and to identify content problems that appear when it is applied to those services. The results of the examination and case analysis revealed that these problems originated from the classification structure designed to visually present various fonts. Based on these results, this study focused on the information delivery diagram type of “hierarchical structure” and “network structure” of the font classification system. The former is defined as the current font classification system, and in the case of the latter, the structure is marked by the mixture and intersection of different groups of information that are subject to different standards. With this difference in mind, this study compared and identified the difference between the hierarchical and network structures and proposed the possibility of using the network structure font classification system as an alternative to the current one, as well as its direction of design, standards, and examples.