Guerilla Marketing

Even though this uses a stencil type, (which I find not to be the most intriguing type due to over use in Army, etc.) This Guerilla Marketing is very effective. It is a good example of to keep your eyes open because you don't know where your great new idea will come from.

John Deere on the Move

I saw this ad a few years ago and really liked the typography usage on the side of it. I just thought it was very inventive use of typography for a construction equipment company. It definitely adds a flair to this ad--fading from left to right. The only thing I don't like about this ad is the busy background. I wouldn't have noticed it at first, but it makes it a bit tough to read the copy. It also takes away from the funky type on the side.

This was a t shirt being auctioned off at creative summit. Everyone who passed by this shirt started laughing. The kerning is actually done really poorly. I also think it was a good decision to leave it small and simple. Leaving it two colors was a good decision and leaves the focus on the phrase. My favorite part is the comma because it obviously kerned way far to the right. 

colour and layers

this was a really fun piece that had alot of layers and it was really interesting because alot of it was done with reall light tones so it all blends in. their type is really interesting because some of the bodies are filled in and some are not . the VS has to layers which makes really intrgate how it is played and how it adds to the ground of the piece. the type combines well, the messy with the clean.

The Traveling pants needs a new designer...

I won't lie, i love these books.  But since before i was even a graphic design major this cover has driven me CRAZY! The type reminds me a lot of crulz which i usually dont like at all.  i know that it is supposed to be fun and aimed at teenagers but that doesnt mean you have to use a font like this.  I think they colors and type are just overkill of trying to make this book look young and hip.  I do not like the way the layout is, i dont think they type and the imagery work well together they seem to be different units.  I think they could have pushed this farther and made it look young and "fresh" rather than this.

doormat speaks for itself

This doormat is so cool. As you walk up to the doorstep, it tells you to "come in" and as you leave the doorstep it tells you to "go away." This design shows us how the possibilities with typography are endless. By manipulating letters to look a certain way, the designer was able to make the words legible both right-side-up and upside down. Clever and beautiful intriguing!

As You Wish

So my roommate got this movie and brought it home the other day and I was so intrigued by the type on the title. I thought that is was a really unique idea to have the dvd cover be able to be flipped upside down. But what really got me is that the type of the title can be flipped as well. It reads the same both ways without having to be repeated. I kept staring at the dvd cover for about 10 minutes trying to figure out if that was really happening and looking at all of the letters to see how they made them able to be read both ways. I think that having the type only used once in the middle and allowing it to be able to be flipped along with the cover help to tie this dvd cover together and make it a really interesting piece to look at.

Hand Job

i really appreciate all the hand constructed fonts out there. in this book "hand job" all there is, is hand written type. all the different fonts are so beautiful with their one of kind textures and qualities. each pages is like a work of art in itself. we are so used to seeing one computer-generated graphic after another, and this book gives us a refreshing take on something we take for granted. 

can you please pass the napkins?

my parents are on the parents council which is apparently a big deal and they are very excited about it. they had a thing this weekend with a some big shindig in a tent by the main...there was booze and lobster. woohoo. anyways, they decided to give me a napkin. for some reason. they said "you are the reason we are on the council, here we got this for you". in the back of my mind, id like to think they are catching onto the idea of what a graphic designer looks for in daily life...or at least i like to tell myself that. instead of thinking of the idea that my parents gave me a napkin for a present. ANYWAYS!! i was admiring the napkin, because lets face it, i love type. i thought TCU did a very good job at laying out this logo for the new campaign they have going on. (TCU needs more money...in a nutshell) the contrast of the script type with the san serif of "the" and "for" is beautiful in my opinion. and i really love that TCU kept their logo within the campaign logo. it really gives the napkin a warmth and, frankly, i want to support the campaign. the simplicity throughout the whole look is very comforting and pleasing to the eye.

Just try and be illegible, I dare you

I think this video is probably the most impressive use of type in a music video I've ever seen. It's nearly perfectly executed, so that even words backwards and upside-down are even legible. For other fun type videos watch these:

The Hush Sound- The Lion's Roar
What is Typography
Pulp Fiction, in Type

Enjoy

Hand crafted

For this wild card I wanted to show a student's piece from DSVC. I'm displaying this one not so much because it was my favorite piece or because it has some amazing layout, but because it was ALL done by hand. This piece is about 2'x 3' to give you some kind of idea of the size. It was really cool to look close and see all of the detail. To put this all together while not having the option of earasing just enhances the effort of pre-planning and bringing it all together. It was also interesting to get up close and actually read the tiny, tiny words and the illustrations are also very intricate. For me this piece was more of a representation of what is possible and what we are capable of doing.

The Beautiful Side of Type!

I happened to be browsing some type blogs, and I came across one called "The Ministry of Type" that featured these designs using numbers.  Even though the numbers aren't actually made of the elements of nature, I find the unified solution quite breathtaking; I could have never pictured type as such beautiful forms!  I love the way the designer combined both the numbers and images; he or she did so in a way to look as if the flowers, leaves, vines, etc. are growing out of the numbers.  I like some of the curvy, organic lines found in the numbers, such as the horizontal stroke of the seven and the vertical, left stroke of the four.  The combination of thick and thin lines of the numbers also imitate the randomness that's found in nature.  There is a definite contrast between the bold, black forms of the numbers and the thinner, more delicate, colored forms of the images, but the designer combined the two so well that the pictures look like a unit.

WILD CARD!

Seek and find an extraordinarily brilliant or extremely poor use of type. Your call -- make it count; it's the final blog of the semester!

K ernth is, Mo fo

This was the title page from an editorial spread. The spread was all about type and this gave an awesome visual representation of what goes on in during kerning. I thought it was a great/funny concept , and was executed very nicely to get the idea across.

I really enjoy how this body copy works with the image and subject of the story. I feel it complements the images and really helps back the subject. When I first saw it, I was immediately drawn into it, because of the diagonals in the body copy. I think it really attracts the reader and makes them interested in, and want to read, the story. They did a nice job of allowing the diagonals in the body copy to flow into the images. Also, even with the diagonals, the body is still legible, as is the interesting headline design.

Just some thoughts

This is the cover page for the Adam Carolla spread in the LA Magazine. It is a very unique approach to displaying body type while also going along with the idea that the spread is "getting in his head". Even though it is kind of hard to read and follow because of the lack of hierarchy, it is a good solution given the problem. The designer was able to really capture the idea of being able to get into someone's head with the chaos and almost random thoughts.

A Visual Approach to Fashion

I found this magazine spread in Marie Claire and really liked the type treatment at the bottom (using paint for the dots of the "i"). I also thought it was interesting how they incorporated the paintings for the models' heads... a rather different approach to expressing fashion. I'm glad the designer decided to use a green color for the dots, and not white.. to match the rest of the type. The green gives it that extra punch. I also really like the fact that the designer used photographs to express this topic.. and not words... so the reader knows exactly what's in fashion... and that is painter styles/or artistic fabrics.

Knowledge is Power

This layout was done by National Forest who is located in LA. I really enjoy this spread because of its simplicity. usually i really dont enjoy reading the text and just look at the pictures, but in this one i would be willing to read the type. the amount of type is balanced though out the layout, which help out the readability of the piece.

Atypement

I really like the different sections of type they used in this.  I also really like the rag on the left hand side it is something you dont see often and i think it works well for this layout.  It looks classy and interesting by using the positive negative effect with the type and the different columns, and also helps to give there illusion that there isnt as much copy to read.

Type is never out of Fashion

First I want to apologize for the bad scanning job, I'm not sure what happenned but I think you can get the layout and the contrast in type that I wanted to show. I wanted to show these images together because I think they do a good job of demonstrating the way fashion magazines use type to create a very crisp and sophisticated look while pushing the boundries at the same time. It's a thin line to tread between this classy and clashy look. When I saw the Table of Contents in the top image I had a hard time with it. I immediately felt that I needed to hate it because of the over use of typefaces and this almost clashing going on between them, but I have to say that the more I look at it the more I love it. And I know a lot of you all probably won't but what I enjoy about it is this extreme contrast between the ultra thin sans serif and the bulkier serifed type. The serifed type has that standard look that we expect in the fashion magazines with the thick and thin strokes in the same type. But then when you look closer there is even a slight difference between the serifed letterforms. I guess what I love about it is that it is breaking the rules, but at the same time imitating them. I want to look longer and closer, and I like that. Then with the second image I wanted to show how many fashion magazines tend to layout their articles. I love the pulled quote as the "Hoffman said" screams for our attention into the quote that is there to then spark our interest in the actual article. What I love about it is that it pushes everything just a little bit. All in it's own fashion conscious way.

type vs pictures

this was an interesting design for a spread out , it seems though that the images are really overwhelming the space. the text is really compact but it works well at the same time. im kinda divided by how i feel i think it works rally well for this spread out bu tmostly cus all connects with the way they displayed their pictures . also a feature that connects the piece together is the headline type that has that cubical or geometrical quality of the shapes surrounding. the text is well placed and compact , good choice of size in my opnion and still legible. it would have been interesting to see if they could have had type instead of shapes. also really nice aproach of making it look upside down, it got me confused for a wile, its not very conventional.

Nice Body (copy) Rachel Ray

I believe the body copy in this article is working extremely well. There is not too much type on the page and it is separated into two columns. The beautiful drop-cap R gives the viewer a good starting point. My favorite thing is how the body type interacts with the title, "Spice Girl" which is in the center of the article. Not only does it make the viewer want to read the copy around it, but it is also not first in the hierarchy, which is incredibly unique.

Use Greener Paper

I found this ad in a print magazine and I really liked it. I like how simple the ad is and how the focus is on the type. My favorite part about it is that the title and the body copy start before the paper that is being held up and end afterward. It is hard to se in the picture. But I think that having the type not constrained to the paper shape that is on the page which draws the viewer in and makes them want to read it.

Nascar Type

I found this article in a magazine. I thought it was a very intresting way to handle the body type. I really like how they use imagary to give the effect that the car did a doughnut on the type. It makes the type illegable in spots but they arent really trying to get you to read that part its more for effect.

The body copy works well in this editorial spread. The decision not to justify the body copy, but leave a soft rag was very successful. Although, I feel like they could have tried to get an even softer rag. The large bold drop cap is a nice contrast to the very thin san serif typography used for the headline. The entire editorial spread has a nice sense of hierarchy. The W jumps out first, which leads your eye into the body copy. The large space at the top before the headline makes that second in the hierarchy. I am glad that they kept the spread simple, and did not over complicate it with multiple colors, but left it black and white with a touch of green. 

The designer has a plan, too...a clever one!

This editorial spread that I found in a magazine caught my eye quickly because of the clever layout.  Although the body type isn't the strongest element in the layout, I still feel that it dynamically interacts with the title of the article and the author's name because of the way it takes the negative space of the black "O".  To make the body type even stronger, I think it could have looked cool to have the type enclose the entire black "O" just like the black "O" is enclosing the title.  I think this would be interesting because of the contrasting interaction going on with the ragged edges of the body type (imperfect) and the perfectly delineated line of the "O".  In addition, I really enjoy the meaning behind the layout:  containing the title plays off the idea of having a concept or plan.  I also like how the author's name is tied into the name of the article by using the black "O" in his name to interact with the title.  Overall, this designer has a good plan, too!

Welcome. Lets hang.

i used this from a design magazine for my computer graphics sketchbook. one thing that i really like about it was their choice of how they showed the body copy.  i think the use of a flat image that is slightly off centered on the page helps grab the viewers eye and helps keep it new and different. i know whenever i see an editors note, i turn the page, but the fun look of the page acctually made me stop and read it. the color scheme and other images help add the contrast of the main message.  having welcome in a larger, white type also helps bring your eye in because it has the most contrast throughout the page. 

COPY IN AN EDITORIAL SPREAR

Seek and find an example in which type works well in the body copy of an editorial spread.

"How" neat!

I recently purchased a type design magazine called "How", and this tattoo was featured on the front cover.  I usually don't like some of the gruesome images that are used as tattoos, but I find this one surprisingly pleasing.  I love the swirly linear forms that are found coming out of the black letters, despite the fact that they make the title less legible.  The gradation of black into the swirls help make a smoother transition between the different elements.  I also love the images (the bird, intertwining vines, rope and arrow) that interact with the letters, especially in the tight negative spaces.  The unfinished pink outlines around the letters also create a little bit of depth, and I like how they don't draw too much attention.  Apparently this is a real tattoo, despite the fact that it's weird that someone would want the name of a type magazine on their skin.  Whoever has this tattoo is definitely a type aficionado!!

Alpha Omega

My friend Austin has this tatoo on his arm of alpha omega for the beinging and the end. I really like the way type is used in this. I like how the alpha and omega overlap and form one unit working together. Something I might change would be the bottom feet of the omega the angle and make them go straight out like they really do in the omega symbol.

Redo

Ok. So here is my second go around. I got confused about what we were supposed to post. Anyways, I am a huge fan of Project Runway and I remember seeing the first episode of season 3 and noticing Jeffery's tattoo. I mean it is kind of hard not to considering is takes up his whole neck. It says his sons name and then something like "love of my life" I think. But I think that having the letters curve around the neck emphasizes it and draw attention to the tattoo. Also, because it is a more elegant type and thinner lines it does not make it appear to be one large blob of black.

icky icky....

First of all i dont know why people do this. i think its a little strange. But thats not important i like the font that lovely is written in, it is light and pretty just like the meaning of the word. Weird that i can critique the inside of someones lip!

Have a little faith

I thought this might be a little cheezy but after thinking about it I thought that my tattoo would be a prime example for me to post. Type on a body has a very big meaning because it will always be there for the rest of your life. With that being said the person getting the tattoo much be very trusting of the tattoo artist to work with typography on their body. For instance, two of my tattoos have type in them, and before the tattoo artist did them he was sure to ask me the exact spelling, the exact font, if I wanted curves to go right or left; everything had to be very precise. With this tattoo in particular, the curves and delicate lines explain the word without any definition. Having faith is something that is very intricate and personal and because of the many curves and italicised font the definition is portrayed. Also, the use of white ink helps in the definition, that faith is not always based on what you see, sometimes you see the results of having faith but most the time you just have to know it's their in order to really understand it.

Question, do I have something on my lip??

Well, let me just tell you how much this tattoo enhances his bottom lip! Now, to start off, I have a tattoo, and so I know how they can tend to be slightly painful, but, on your lip, that's gotta hurt like heck! And, you know he knew it too...after all he chose to get the word "PAIN" permanently placed there...so he could remember I'm sure. Now, with all that said, I think it's still interesting. You have to stop and admire the talent. I mean, this is on a guys lip, which was more than likely quivering the entire time, yet the technique is still quite nice. The letters are basically all pretty straight. Overall, I don't like the tattoo, but I think he's a brave guy to get it done. He clearly likes PAIN.

babies

she is the prime example of why you should never get a tattoo with some guys name on it. if yall didnt know she had to get it removed and proceeded to get a tat. of where her children were born ( i guess to remind herself). to me, its important to get a tattoo with something simple and meaningful and i think she achieved this. im not a fan of the sleeve look or lots of color. type SHOULD be the main element because personally, i think its easier to draw a picture of a bird then to write BIRD in a funky or very refined typeface. but then again, i know nothing about tattoos.

Ichthys

Last year my roommate got this tattoo of the Greek word for Ichthys, which means fish. It refers to the symbol early Christians used, now it is referred to as the "Jesus Fish". I chose to post her tattoo to show how meaningful typography can be. If she had just gotten a tattoo of the symbol, it would not have been such a statement, and it possibly would be overlooked because the symbol is so common. But by getting a tattoo of the typography, it causes people to stop look at it and probably ask what it says if they do not already know. The letter spacing is very close, which I think was a great decision(even though they probably did it just to keep it small) because it makes each letter come together to form more of a unit. Around the word there is a perfect rectangle, but inside there are all these interesting triangles and diagonals created. The white space, her skins, really makes the most interesting part of the tattoo. 

got ink?

when i think about tattoos i could not think of mr.50cent. this is such a huge tattoo but so well done. the typeface is really interesting it has this quality of shading and relief. its a type of letter that i have definetly seen in hip hop culture world. there is a really nice arch this style of type is normally arched and a lot of embedment around it.  there is somewhat of a baroque or old style to the typeface and its interesting how that has changed with the new Hip Hop culture. this is a really a cool tattoo. 

Oh the permanence of being silly

I don't know if any of you know what this regal "i" represents, but I'll clue you in. It's a lame band. My friend got this tattoo, justifying that He will like this band forever. I think musical taste changes almost as often as the seasons, so getting something this permanent seems a bit childish. The band is "Everytime I Die"...need I say more.

Taking a font obsession too far?

Alright, so I couldn't decide which one I liked better.
First, off I like the phrase the person tattooed on the nape of neck. But what I hate is the spacing between the lines... I don't know if this person wanted the letters to connect on purpose or by accident? Either way, it looks funny. I also really like the barbed wire running across the bottom.. it makes the phrase stand out even more.

The second example is quite humorous because it shows they are "obsessed" with typography or just the univers font. I think the placement of this font on the leg is really appropriate... this tattoo deserves to be shown off. I don't like the spacing between the word "univers" and "gothic.." it's too far away. This example makes me wonder why the person chose the font "univers." What type of attachment did this person have to the font?

Tattoo Enhancement

I found these ads for Ipanema sandals to be very eye catching to say the least. It's very cool how the tattoos become her clothing especially since these are not real. The tattoos are very believable and add this amazing edge to the whole layout. I also find the typeface that is used for the text to be a great choice as is mimics the free flow design of the tattoos. While I suppose you can't go wrong with Gisele it's especially the focus of the ad being the beautiful tattooed body. As a viewer you almost forget what's being sold here... Sandals!!...that's right sandals...talk about an attention grabbing article.

Posh's Hebrew

This Hebrew tattoo is beautifully designed. It runs down the center of her spine, starting just below her hairline. Because it creates such a solid vertical line, it gives the optical illusion that the line of type continues both up and down her body. I enjoy the size of the type and how interesting the characters look and how they interact with one another. It represents the Hebrew version of Song of Solomon 6:3, which reads, "I am my love's and my love is mine, who browses among the lilies." I think this is a very unique & fun way to express love for someone.

fix the space

This tattoo says "It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures  him to evil ways." The first thing i noticed about this type tattoo was the letter spacing..... it is terrible! The top line is crammed with four words and every line is only two. i think they should have used a smaller type size, so that if they still wanted to use justified, then the word spacing would have been much more even. Another thing that bugs me is the line spacing. the top of the f in "foe" almost touches the m in "my" and the l in "evil" connects with the m in "him." i think with better planning this tattoo would have been much more successful and wouldn't be noticed for all the wrong reasons. 

Symbol Lady

I happended to run across this on the internet. I thought it was really creative way of using letterforms to make an image. I like the use of symbols and letters turned in different aspects and angels to build an image. I really like the use of @ for the hair. I also think the brackets work well to make a face shape. I dont know how sucessful the upside down R's are in the image it just kinda confuses me of what its suposed to be.

More than just a cute girls' graphic tee!

I was shopping with my sister over spring break when I found a line of graphic t-shirts for girls at Old Navy with this clever use of typography!  They had about five or six different designs, but all of them used the figure of a girl that was made up out of type.  I love the variety of colors and type within the image, especially the capitalized and lowercase letters and filled-in negative spaces to emphasize contrast.  The scale, baseline and angular positions of the type also create a believable figure of a human body, especially the lengthened type found in the girl's hair!  I also think the horizontal line of text at the bottom gives the image stability.  This line of Old Navy t-shirts for girls makes me appreciate designers and their work on t-shirts more than I did before!