Glen Echo = Neon Art Deco

Glen Echo Park is a staple of my childhood. So when I read that we had to include 'neon' lettering in our Typography blogs I immediately thought of it!

The type for Glen Echo's glowing sign is distinctly Art Deco; stylized geometrically and streamlined with distinct corners. After all, Art Deco was inspired by geometry, modernization, metal, and mechanics. So, naturally, the lettering of the age would be reminiscent of those aspects. Another example of Art Deco artworks? You all know the Chrysler Building. It has the same crisp geometry as Glen Echo's type.

Furthermore, has anyone ever played the video game Bioshock? That game is dripping with imagery from the Art Deco era (we're talking the 1920s when the period began)! Google the cover to it-you'll see!

Anyway, Glen Echo Park is a cultural hub offering fine art classes, ceramics, dance, theater, photography, and much more! They're located in Glen Echo Maryland, outside of D.C. If anyone has any interest in the Park, I've included the link below:

http://www.glenechopark.org/

Hand Painted with a Dash of Local Flavor

I'm an annual Maryland Renaissance Festival attendee. Always, ALWAYS there are amazing, hand-painted signs advertising the crafts and shops. All the type is unique and creative and, naturally, reminiscent of the fantastic, medieval period. This sign advertises bronze works. It's hand-painted and I love the elongated, sweeping serifs.** Would they even be considered serifs since they are so embellished? I'll have to research the anatomy of Old English  inspired texts!

Okay, so this font has definite serifs happening! With a bit of the local flavor of the Renaissance Festival. The candied almonds (and other assorted nuts) are a specialty and something I know I have to have every time I go. The scent of the sweet nuts (hah) wafts throughout the festival. Delicious, delicious nuts.

**Additional comment (9/21/11) These painted letters are actually more reminiscent of the more freely formed 8th Century Unicals-they have similarly sweeping acenders and desenders. So, no, I would not call them serifs now that I know these fun facts!

Belated Welcome!

Hello everyone!

I got so excited about making a blog, and updating it with awesome images, that I completely forgot to introduce myself and provide you all with the purpose for this blog! So, excuse the tardiness.

My name is Kate Wellington and this blog has been created especially for my graduate typography course. Admittedly, I've never created a blog before, so I'm enthusiastic about this experience!

Here's a little about myself:

I graduated from Towson University with an undergrad in Art Education, and now I'm back (!), to get my Masters in Art Education with a focus in studio art. Currently, I teach elementary school art (ages 5-11, phew!) for Montgomery County Public Schools, and I love it.

I'm a huge fan of fantasy, mythology, folklore, and nature so I've designed my blog around that premise. The title backround was taken from one of my own works, just blown up.

I'll be doing frequent updates of all the awesome signs, lettering, and text I find (so there will be lots from faires and festivals) as well as that particulars required for my course. And, I am sure my fellow classmates will be joining in awesome contributions as well!


Enjoy!

~Kate Wellington

PS: Here's a little art of mine to emphasize my theme for the blog. Some of you have seen it before, but it's a personal favorite of mine (and this is the piece the background of my banner came from)!

         Purple 2 by Kate Wellington

The Oldest Pub in Ireland has a Pretty Cool Type

This past summer I had the delight of being in Ireland for nine days. So, naturally, I will  post the images I took of road signs, tavern and pub lettering, and various other type-related photos!

I figured I'd start off strong with this one from the Brazen Head Pub (their fish cakes and apple pie are to die for)! I went for a night of "food, folklore, and faeries." The type is reminiscent of Old English and was painted on the side of the pub before you entered.

For those of you (well, probably all of you) in my Typography class, I would love to boast that this is "old font used in a contemporary way." It's Old English text, right? Used in the contemporary/modern day and age? While at the same time bragging to be the oldest pub? Eh? Eh? Maybe not.

Regardless, it's pretty cool, yes?

For anyone happening to go to Dublin in the future I posted the link for the event I attended. It was amazing!

http://irishfolktours.com/the_evening.htm

The First of Many Fabulous Signs!

I love going to festivals and seeing all the awesome signs that advertise the vendors crafts. This particular photo was taken at the May Day faerie Festival in Pennsylvania. I adore the lettering on this sign! 

It there is any doubt, this sign is advertising for hand-crafted leather masks. Yes, they are gorgeous, and yes I purchased one.

Interesting Sites With Interesting Type!

The Pioneer Woman: http://thepioneerwoman.com/
The title for her blog is fabulous. Probably equally as fabulous as her recipes!

Wedding Chicks: http://www.weddingchicks.com/
I don't find the type for this blog particularly out of this world, but I do enjoy the simplicity of the blog. The simple layout is most beneficial to the array of stunning photos. Ladies? Great place to look for wedding ideas.

FaerieCon: http://www.faeriecon.com/
I'm a big fan of the title for this event! Bright, bold, and beautiful!

That's all for now! There'll be more on the way!

Type-Related Blogs

The Ampersand: http://ampersand.gosedesign.net/
This site finds all the creative ways the ampersand is used...or in most cases, misused!