Posts tagged Typography

Book Review: The Geometry of Type

There are many things I like about Stephen Coles’ recent book; the bright, clean design and the accessible structure allowing you to dip in and out; but most of all, it’s the lack of fluff or filler. The content has been carefully honed to focus on the important details, which is in fact what the book is all about: the details of each typeface.

In highlighting and comparing the features that give each typeface its character, anyone exploring this subject can begin to make informed choices between similar typeface options.

The pithy descriptions describe each typeface’s origin and advise what makes each appropriate for certain scenarios and where it might fail. These are occasionally laced with a subtle humour that keeps the tone of the book warm.

The great balance of written and visual explanation means the book works well as a quick reference but has a seductive way of drawing you in to read more and examine further.

The 100 “essential” typefaces chosen covers a decent range and they have been categorised in the most straight-forward way. Historically it stretches from Gill Sans 1928-32) right up to Heron Serif (2012), but also acknowledges original creation dates for revivals such as Bembo (1495).

I’ve already found it useful in my work and I know I’ll enjoy repeatedly picking it up in the future to compare other typefaces in my collection and those I’ve spotted in the wild.

Well worth picking up a copy. Take a look the book’s online companion on tumblr: The Anatomy of Type

A Spark is All It Takes by Charlotte Estelle Littlehales

It would be amazing to be the person that lit this!
I’m assuming that this idea was inspired by “danger” and other ‘match type’ work by Pei-San Ng

ianbrooks:

The math: 2,600 matchsticks, 720 minutes to create, and 1 minute of fiery immolation to undo it all; Charlotte’s typographic matchstick design is a testament to the creative and sometimes destructive power of imagination.

Artist: Behance / Website / Tumblr

8 Faces Issue #6 is now available to buy.

Our latest issue features stunning de-bossed cover art by Stefan Weyer (tilt it towards the light to see the artwork in full) and interviews with Simon Walker, Dan Rhatigan, Seb Lester, Nina Stössinger, Grant Hutchinson, Mike Kus, and Eric Olson and Nicole Dotin of Process Type. In addition to that stellar line-up, we have essays from Christopher Murphy, Leo Koppelkamm, and Typekit’s Tim Brown, and an introduction by Craig Mod.

Only 2000 copies are available! Order yours now at 8Faces.com

What is 8 Faces?

If you could use just eight typefaces, which would you choose? 8 Faces is a magazine that asks this question — and many more — to eight leading designers from the fields of print, web, illustration, and of course type design itself. Eighty-eight pages of in-depth interviews, critical essays, and inspiration from the very best in the business. We pride ourselves on producing a printed magazine that you’ll want to keep on your bookshelf. Our covers are adorned with our foil-blocked silver logo and each issue is an experiment with an attention-grabbing new printing technique.

8 Designers x 8 Typefaces in 88 pages. 8 Faces  – Out Wednesday.

I’ve seen the final version and it’s looking very fine. 

Golden threads

Some of you may remember my post “Sweater Letters”, showing off the great stitch-work lettering of Syndey based twin designers, Maricor and Maricar.

I saw the tactile type duo’s work at the Pick Me Up Exhibition this week, and had the opportunity to get up close and look at the fantastic detail that goes into their lettering.

Look at the mix of colours combined here to achieve these great colour blends. They would make the most extravagant custom shirts!

Alphabets by Tim Fishlock

Top: 
Shapeset alphabet. Overlapping colour compositions. Giclee print on 305g stock. Hand-embossed, numbered and signed. A limited edition.

Bottom Left:
Typeseat alphabet: Screen print. A limited edition of 300. (I beleive the text at the bottom names all of the chairs used).

Bottom right: 
A to Z : A print commissioned by the London Transport Museum for their ‘Mind the Map’ exhibition. Based on the iconic London Underground map.

More beautiful lettering work by graffiti writer and artist, Roid. 

Shadow Lettering

Wire, light and shadow messages by Belgian artist Fred Eerdekens.

3D artwork print from 8 Faces

Tomorrow sees the release of our 7th and penultimate artwork print, by Simon Walker.

Above (top) is a teaser of Simon’s unique artwork, with a sneak peek of his work in progress below. The type is made out of mouldable clay, Simon took us through his process for the forthcoming edition of 8 Faces magazine, here are some extracts:

“I’d been toying with the idea of making physical, three-dimensional type for a long time, but had never found the time — or more specifically the right project — to push it forward. I knew I wanted to make big, heavy letters out of something like clay, thinking the result would mimic the kind of roughened, hand-rendered lettering I produce on the computer, even though I’d never actually worked with clay before.

Plastalina is pretty hard straight out of the wrapper, and has to be vigorously massaged between your fingers in order to get it to play nice. Then there were all the unavoidable grease-stains from the clay that kept getting smudged onto my nice clean backboard. I’d rested in the idea that I’d photoshop out any particularly conspicuous stains, as well as my penciled guidelines, but found in the end that a lot of the stray marks actually reinforced the handmade aspect of the piece, so I left most of them in.”

And we’re very pleased he did, the work looks fantastic. We have less than 50 on offer, so be quick! Visit 8faces.com this Wednesday (17th April) at 4pm BST.

The full interview with Simon Walker will appear in 8 Faces magazine #6, due out soon.

Bike Like a New Yorker

Helping cyclists reclaim the streets two wheels at a time, creative agency, Mother, has designed these bird’s-eye perspective billboard and print ads to draw attention to city cyclists.
It’s beautifully executed with this sharply lit photographic style and grungy type, laid out over the streets.

Sketchy Characters

I spent an enjoyable day yesterday re-learning how to screen print at London’s ‘Print Club’.

As a test print I decided to use some of my sketchbook letters and experiment with a few types of paper, including this lovely gold and silver.

The one-day course was very good, running through everything; preparing your artwork, making your positives, coating your screen, printing your work and finally removing your stencil. Well recommended!

Blaqk and white lettering

Blaqk is a collaboration between Greg Papagrigoriou and Simek, a pair of street artists from Athens, Greece. They form these beautiful geometric shapes with a blend of typography and calligraphy.

Creating their designs with flat brushes and acrylic, the work has been shown in several exhibitions and appears all over their city. More on their Tumblr