'I Love Typography' is a blog I recently started perusing and I've found it quite informative! It has everything organized by category from 'the best of...' to 'the history of...' as well as the normal updates. I wanted to provide everyone the link just in case you wanted to use it as a spring board for our research paper (all you Typography folks) or if you're just curious!
http://ilovetypography.com/
Even more interesting is that this blog appears to be available on the Amazon Kindle! Very cool!
Enjoy!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A Lil' Hand Drawn Letter Forms
So, I figured I'd put this up because, well, it is typography, and it was for my typography class! We were required to create our name in the type face Humanist 531. There was no tracing, but looking at the font and noticing the "subtle qualities" of the letter forms.
After not looking at it for a day or so, I can safely say my 'g' is a little wonky in certain places and the 'i' has too much space between the stem and...dot. And, as much as my perfectionism railed, we weren't aloud to erase our pencil lines so-if I could-I would have done that!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Guinness Factory has a Mighty Fine Selection of Type
Ah, the Guinness factory in Dublin, Ireland. Where beer is plentiful and so is typography! First, I'll introduce the famous factory with a dash of "local flavor," or, the side that directs tourists to the front gate.
The Guinness text is known world wide. It is a classic font, resembling Times New Roman, with subtle serifs and slender stems. The 'Storehouse' letter forms are more modern and blocky sans serifs-no doubt to catch the attention of weary travelers and guide them to the brewery.
Inside the Storehouse are some fine examples of letter forms. I'll begin with distressed lettering that lets us all know where the word 'barley' derives from.
The letters were applied to the wall with some of the paint purposely missing so it appears older then it is. And, really, the letters are only about six years old as the Storehouse was refurbished in 2005-2006. The brick background aids to the "antiqued" or "older" look.
Next, we will learn about the brewing process, all the while enjoying the interesting color treatment; including a gradient and drop shadow.
I enjoy the analogous color scene of this sign. Also, the variation of the text size makes this interesting to look at, and pulls your eye downwards so the viewer reads the entire thing. It is very important to know the brewing process, after all.
So, to summarize, everyone should visit the Guinness Storehouse if not for the obvious reasons, but for the fabulous array of typography!
For the Kid in All of Us!
And now, for my plethora of childlike letter forms!
First, and by far the best, is the title for the children's book The Fart Fairy.
There is a certain whimsy to these letter forms that help to illustrate the mood of the story. And to answer everyone's question, yes, the book is about blaming a fairy for farts. And yes, I got it for Christmas.
There are no harsh edges to the text, the words rounded and curling pleasantly which also adds to the childlike appeal. While the words are on a straight plane, the are tilted slightly, again lending to a whimsical, and playful mood. For your enjoyment, I have provided the full cover of the book!
I actually met the author, Bobby Hinman, who is well known as being the author of The Knot Fairy as well and when I asked her about the concept of a fairy who farts her response was, "someone has to do it."
The next representation of childlike typography I have is the box to awful tasting biscuits from an international food market.
The letters are simple, what I would call "bubble letters" that children are so fond of making. The letter forms boast nice, rounded edges and give a soft, cloud-like feeling.
The car...well...suffice it to say the car does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling! It's a serious debate as whether the car on this box is sad or, well, high on something. Maybe that is how he can stomach the biscuits because they are bland and gross.
Finally! My last example of childlike letters comes from none other then a cookie making kit.
I consider these letter forms to be "block letters;" another type of letter form children so often draw. These letters have a playful vibe because of the alternating between thickness of the letter's stems. The blocky serifs also add to the appeal.
And there you have it! Childlike typography for the child in all of us!
First, and by far the best, is the title for the children's book The Fart Fairy.
There are no harsh edges to the text, the words rounded and curling pleasantly which also adds to the childlike appeal. While the words are on a straight plane, the are tilted slightly, again lending to a whimsical, and playful mood. For your enjoyment, I have provided the full cover of the book!
I actually met the author, Bobby Hinman, who is well known as being the author of The Knot Fairy as well and when I asked her about the concept of a fairy who farts her response was, "someone has to do it."
The next representation of childlike typography I have is the box to awful tasting biscuits from an international food market.
The car...well...suffice it to say the car does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling! It's a serious debate as whether the car on this box is sad or, well, high on something. Maybe that is how he can stomach the biscuits because they are bland and gross.
Finally! My last example of childlike letters comes from none other then a cookie making kit.
And there you have it! Childlike typography for the child in all of us!
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