distressed conspiracies

Distressed typography has a specific time and place, I found the book, Conspiracy Encyclopedia, on my friend's bookshelf, the cover is pictured above and while it's fitting for the topic of the book, I'm not too crazy about the layout of the type & spacing etc. I am interested, however, in what the motive is behind using a purposefully distressed typeface for the title of a book that discusses secret societies, assassination plots and cover-ups. I think a distressed, grungy look is perfect for a book of this topic. The subjects are by no means clean cut, elegant or solid therefore the typefaces used to illustrate them should not be either. If anyone wants to look into it further> Conspiracy Encyclopedia on Amazon.com

a "peace" of urban typography

I came across this photograph of what I think might be classified as urban typography, while I'm not sure where this photo was taken, I don't want to stereotype this kind of typography, but to me, this feels like someone's kind reminder to all passer-bys on a city street. The message of "TEACH PEACE." is clearly written, with nice contrast on the side of a brick wall, and while the stencil-like letters are common and very generic and not the least bit expressive, except for the A that looks like an upside down V and the extended bars of the E. On the other hand, maybe the irony of the message & typography is that peace should be a common thing in our society. No matter its size, I find that this message really makes an impact. I like that the words are stacked closely together and that there is a period at the end of the statement, I think just adding punctuation aids in creating a bolder statement.

photograph: TEACH PEACE.

Type & Culture: An Analysis of Typography

In our present day society, typography is a valuable tool that serves humankind by aiding in the world’s essential and daily communication. All type has been, and will undoubtedly be created with a goal in mind. As our modern world evolves and changes, letters and forms follow. While many typefaces created centuries ago will remain fully functional and commonly used, the need for new typefaces with traits for specialized uses will arise eventually. Consequently the spectrum and goals of typography are continually changing. A look into the goals and cultural circumstances behind the creation of a few typefaces will aid in the understanding of the importance of designing new typefaces to keep up with a fast-paced society.

In 1976, a typeface design was commissioned by AT&T to be used exclusively for telephone directories. After careful attention to detail and adherence to strict guidelines, the letterforms and even the name, Bell Centennial, reflect this intent. Bell Centennial designer, Matthew Carter, provided AT&T with a well-thought-out, open form, condensed sans-serif typeface that is economical, legible at very small sizes and useful in poor production conditions. The creation of Bell Centennial was triggered by new digital technology in printing. As a result, the phone book’s production methods greatly affected the design of Bell Centennial. The very specific guidelines followed by Carter while creating this new phonebook typeface were essential to solving the many technical and visual problems associated with the typeface used at the time, Bell Gothic, whose strokes and forms could not hold up to the new printing technologies of the time.
Carter’s incorporation of notches, or ink traps, (see image to the left) into the letterforms was a very unique creation that was used to solve production problems. These were placed at the corners of the letterforms to compensate for the low quality printing conditions and spread of ink on the surface when printing small letterforms. Additionally, in recognizing the crucial role of numbers in this typeface, Carter gave extra attention to the numerical forms to create a clear distinction between all numbers. The culmination of these unique details was a typeface that was a key element in the success of the phone book.

Also designed by Carter, a typeface with significant typographic personality, Georgia, was created for use as an on-screen typeface. The successful type is welcoming and friendly, even at a small point size. The goal of the Georgia typeface was to create simplicity and clarity in an on-screen, serif typeface. Carter designed Georgia in 1996 with web-ready letterforms similar to Times New Roman, a typeface intended for use in a printed newspaper. While it is very similar, with the exception of some spacing and x-height differences, Georgia is said to evoke a feeling of intimacy that has been stripped from Times New Roman. In order to create a web-friendly typeface design, the weight of the forms have been carefully designed, (see image to the right) especially when considering the difference between the italic, regular and bold styles on screen. Georgia is a versatile typeface that can be used in text-heavy printed material and even more importantly today, as a primary choice serif typeface for web design. With the heightened use of the Internet as social interaction and visual communication tools today, the typeface design of Georgia has proved its successfulness as a legible and practical typeface in text-heavy web sites, such as blog and news sites.

Interstate is a sans-serif typeface whose design, vast array of uses, and name is reflective of our fast-paced modern society. From 1993 to 1999, designers, Tobias Frere-Jones and Cyrus Highsmith, created a typeface family which consists of over 30 styles; compressed, regular, hairline and ultra black to name a few, which allows for increased flexibility and use within the same family (see image to the left). It is clean, simple, easily, and quickly read to outfit the billions of people in our society who live that fast-paced life. The name Interstate comes after the design’s inspiration of the fonts created for use by the United States Federal Highway Administration in 1949. Needless to say, the origin of inspiration gives Interstate the advantage of being a great signage typeface. However, refinements of letterforms also make it suitable for a variety of different uses such as newspapers, magazines, other printed materials and online uses. Designs that are easily and quickly accessible in more than one medium are sought after in today’s society. This typeface’s characteristics and premium selection for typographic solutions is reminiscent of our culture and the population’s never-ending endeavor for an “express-lane” world that caters directly to them in all ways imaginable - even through typography.

The typeface designs of Bell Centennial, Georgia, and Interstate are prime examples of how changes in our culture and population determine changes in typography. With the creation of letterforms that follow the evolving population's needs and desires, typography plays an important part in adapting to a continuous and functional way of communication during times of great cultural evolution.

Bibliography:

Kinross, Robin. Modern Typography: An Essay In Critical History. London: Hyphen Press, 2004.

Microsoft. Georgia. www.microsoft.com/typography/fonts/family.aspx?FID=4.

Monotype Imaging. Foundry Profiles: Interstate. www.monotypefonts.com/Foundry/FoundryProfiles.asp?show=fontbureau&style=Interstate.

My Fonts. Bell Centennial. http://new.myfonts.com/fonts/bitstream/bell-centennial/.

Smeijers, Fred. Type Now. London: Hyphen Press, 2003.

Sherman, Nick. Bell Centennial, Form & Function.www.nicksherman.com/articles/bellCentennial.html.

Urban Fonts. Six Typefaces Designed by Matthew Carter. www.urbanfonts.com/blog/six-typefaces-designed-by-matthew-carter/.

Photo Resources & Descriptions, in order:

Typography Collage- http://tdc.org/tdc/tdc2-2009-winners.

Bell Centennial "ink traps"- www.nicksherman.com/articles/bellCentennial.html.

Georgia Family Examples-www.fontmarketplace.com.

Interstate Family Examples- http://www.ascenderfonts.com.

sugar coated type!

This is a photo of a sugar jar which is part of an antique glassware set my mom purchased from an auction, I'm unsure about the time period it's from but I thought the typeface was interesting as is the source of it and I think it can be placed in the historical category. The interesting diagonal works well with these letterforms also. This set is unique because it has labels, the labels have a layer of shiny silver paper on the surface and are clearly pretty durable. Even though they are starting to peel, I think it fits in well with the antique kitchen decor.

The typeface is reminiscent of several ideas- at first I thought of a fifties diner and the typography that might be found there on a menu, soft drink cups etc., which is fitting since this is in a kitchen as well. Once considering the time period of the glassware, I realized a few parts of the letterforms remind me of Art Deco style typefaces (1920's-1940's), especially with the thick and thin strokes of each letter. I have a feeling I've seen this typeface elsewhere but I can't pinpoint it, thoughts are welcomed :)

all about banking!

Here is an example of banking typography I found on the PNC website that was definitely created to appeal to its audience. The Virtual Wallet for Students portion of PNC is a money management program that allows PNC customers who are students at school to easily manage their money & plan their expenses online. The image below is an example of how they've chosen a very collegiate typeface that college students can relate to in order to draw them in and create an interest in the Virtual Wallet program. Lets face it, banking & financial management isn't always something that is top priority for a college student and PNC wants to show that they can make it a fun experience for the student, hence the break from their normal, very structured layouts and typography throughout the rest of their website. Their clever use of "U" instead of "you", are things that college students can really relate to. I think this is an intriguing layout, it made me want to "click to learn more" for sure!

PNC Virtual Wallet Student

an industrial canvas

This Industrial typography photo I discovered has proven to be more interesting than I ever thought an old Alaskan Railroad Boxcar could be! Without even seeing the wide shot of the boxcar, it is clear that the typography and its surroundings originate from some type industrious source. I think the bolts, colors, thick & bold letterforms and complimentary rust give it away. Although I'm sure it's a consequence of the harsh Alaskan elements, and purely unintentional, I love the effect of the red making its way through the white letters as they wash down the side of the boxcar, I think it is very reminiscent of the Alaskan atmosphere. While much industrial typography is purely informational & very straightforward with not much attention given to aesthetics, this retired boxcar has become a piece of art, thanks to the passage of time, of course.
Photograph: Alaskan Boxcar

logotype lock-up!

On a recent trip to Lowes, I discovered this clever logotype. The design of this logo really jumped out at me. Without even knowing what kind of product Swiftlock makes, it is clear to how they've illustrated the concept behind their within the logo by using just typography. This logo is for Swiftlock laminate flooring. Being aware of the product the logo is advertising adds a new level of conceptual understanding to the design of the logo. The ideal laminate flooring locks together perfectly and quickly and is durable as well. These qualities are represented in the typographic logo by using a strong & sturdy feeling sans serif typeface, the crossbar of the lowercase has been altered so it interlocks securely with the uppercase L next to it,(evoking the feeling of locking the pieces of laminate together) I think the success of the logo really plays on how the letterforms work together. This is a very simple but successful design element, I think it really supports the concept of the product and what it stands for- and that's just what a logo should do :)

those were the days...

Here are a few examples I found of a historical typeface reused in our modern society- while they were manufactured present day, the overall design of these tins have a very nostalgic/historical ambiance to them. The typefaces & colors play important roles in achieving this feeling. My mom, who loves collecting & shopping for antiques, found these to be worthy of a spot on top of her kitchen cabinet. It just so happens that both of these examples come from novelty gift packaging tins, one is Hershey's milk chocolate and the other is Carnation brand hot chocolate- these companies both date back to the early 1900's.

While they may not choose to use these old-timed designs for their primary packaging and products. I still think it is interesting that they are bringing the past into the present by revisiting their successful designs from their earlier years for these novelty gift items. The embellishments on the serif Hershey typeface seem very historical as do the colors used and overall feeling of the Carnation tin. In addition to these examples I also think of the Campbell's Soup campaign and the Pepsi Throwback which are along the same lines. It would be interesting to see other brands that have done this! Feel free to leave comments!

Pepsi Throwback | Campbell's Soup Mug

a local celebration

During the trip to my hometown's annual heritage festival I strolled in & out of local arts & crafts booths, watched slate splitting demonstrations and of course was on the lookout for interesting local flavor typography amongst the hustle & bustle. Delta, PA is a small quarry town with rich Welsh history, the town was settled by immigrants from Wales that came to work in the slate quarries. The Welsh origins can still be seen today; the main street is lined with slate sidewalks, many of the homes have original slate roofs and a historic Welsh Chapel is still used today. The street signs also call attention to the town's history. The photo above is an example of one of the many street signs...the street name- Pendyrus, a name from Welsh history- is written in a celtic/welsh typeface which is directly reminiscent of the local history and displays a little local flavor in a very normal way- I love the fact that there is a normal street sign directly underneath this one, it makes for a nice comparison- it makes it clear that some local flare is added with the red symbol of the welsh dragon as well as the unique typeface. The use of this typeface is key to bringing that Welsh/historical feeling into the street signs. Incorporating something like this into the townscape really sets Delta aside from the hundreds of other small towns in southern Pennsylvania, pulls all aspects of the town together and celebrates its history on a daily basis in a cool way!

light up the town!

I'm sure I've come across thousands of examples of neon typography before I started this type hunt, but something had now sparked my curiosity. So after tons of encounters with neons that barely dared to step outside of the box, I was on the hunt for something more unique- my curiousity led me to this unique neon sign for a honky-tonk music hot spot in Nashville, TN, called The Stage. This really caught my eye, it may be the juxtaposition of the flashy neon lights and the down to earth feeling of the wood and barbed wire that are incorporated into the sign. One thing I found interesting was that the letters are outlined by the lights and filled in with a "faux board" look, portraying more depth than your normal neon sign advertising cocktails. Also, the letters of "STAGE" don't have perfectly shaped letters like many neon signs do, (compare with the "on broadway" below the sign)...these more rugged feeling letters really capture the look and feel of the venue- a honky tonk country music club, I don't think this sign would be able to achieve quite the same effect without the neon, it makes for a very effective, unique and eye-catching sign!

I found this display of the alphabet, I think it's interesting to see how many variations of each letter can be created with neon lights, there are always choices in typography! Even if you're writing with lights!

WASABI

This packaging for Wasabi caught my eye in the grocery store earlier this evening...I enjoyed the fact that I found it like this on the shelf- two separate packages, one turned to the English typography on the package and the other turned to the Asian typography. The packaging with different shades of neon green color (perhaps to mimic the wasabi itself) is exactly the same on both packages, however, the typography is a different story; the letterforms are obviously very different, but the manner in which they are treated is the same. They both feature a white outline with a brushstroke effect which feels bold, pungent & noisy- just right for the Wasabi! The two typographic languages are being inadvertently compared and contrasted on the grocery store shelf. Even though the American and Asian versions are very different letterforms, the brushstroke feeling helps them gain similar characteristics and they both fit within the product's packaging design well.

a garden of opportunity awaits!

My recent trip to the sweetest place on earth (otherwise known as Hershey, PA!) presented me with an abundance of childlike typography…I narrowed it down to these two which, by coincidence, are both logos for parts of the Hershey Gardens. The typeface used in the Butterfly Garden logo reminds me of a child’s handwriting, this is mostly because the letters are various sizes; the “f” is noticeably shorter than in other typefaces and it lines up with the height of the other letter. It makes for a very fun and interesting typeface to look at & explore. The color of the typography adds to the childlike feeling as do the colorful illustrations included within the name, it makes me think of the little doodles I used to create when I was younger…this example is unique, I think, because it uses illustrations with typography- this adds a new layer to the concept of typography as art- when type & illustrations are paired, they fuse together. It becomes one cohesive statement and in this case it has formed a logo for the butterfly house.

This “cutesy” logo for the Hershey Children’s Garden is childlike, literally, and besides that, I love how they’ve made the letterforms grow into little flowers and birdhouses. It brings the typography to life and once again it reminds me of an art class doodle. Clearly, this is an occasion when the audience has really been taken into consideration when creating the typography. This type does a great job of making something very child-friendly and inviting!

say it with graffiti!...?

Graffiti is seen as a form of communication, it expresses attitudes, feelings and conveys messages to viewers…sounds just like typography, doesn’t it? Graffiti is words, it is a very public form of typography, and yes, it is sometimes considered vandalism and it can be offensive, but other times it may be commissioned and today we even see elements of graffiti that show up in design. I find this photo pretty cool because it shows the graffiti in context- a person is walking past it on a city street where you might find graffiti painted on the side of a building, I’m not too sure what it says…but nevertheless it’s colorful, very public and screams 'look at me!'--(which, you could say, isn't necessarily a bad trait in typography)...

Typefaces have been inspired by the unique letterforms of graffiti. While it can be considered typography because of its use of letters & words in several different aspects, there is an ongoing battle about whether or not graffiti should be considered art. it would definitely be fun to hear alternate opinions on graffiti in public as typography/art etc., feel free to comment!!

Typeface: Uomo DSk Chiseled Photograph:Graeme Robertson/Getty

with aesthetics & purpose

Our written language is unique. Whether we realize it or not, typography- the good & the bad- plays an important role in the design of our daily life-- it is a crucial part of our communication today. From bowls to descenders, our letter forms are works of art. To say that words are elegant, bold and PlAyFuL is just the tip of the iceberg. Typography is created with the intent to grab our attention, evoke emotion and create movement.This blog exemplifies how, with aesthetics and purpose, typography can be seen as an art of its own.


Some unique typography sites:

www.fontstruct.com --- Fun activity for a rainy day! Once you sign up, (it's free, don't worry) this site provides you with a program to create your own font-- from A-Z, upper & lowercase, numbers & symbols. You can name your "fontstruct", save and download it!

www.typographer.de --- An interactive site that allows you to take part in their typography challenges and view other user's creations in the gallery. Test your skills & see how you compare!

www.typesites.com --- I thought this site could provide some good inspiration for our class...it showcases websites that involve interesting typographic designs. You can suggest sites that they should add too.

A blog or two that I find interesting:
www.ilovetypography.com
www.creativeroots.org