Mar 23, 2009
Mar 21, 2009
Is it time to retire the black and white logo?
I'm working on a couple of identities at the moment where their primary usage is online. You could call them digital identities.
Sure, they will be used offline at some point, people still have business cards, but the over riding majority of times they will be seen online. At least 95% of the time.
A couple of times whist working on these identities we've discussed a black and white version, that's a normal thing to do. And every time someone has asked, why?. Every time it's been a struggle to answer that question.
Lots of you will be horrified by that, but most of the time, I think I'm a pretty traditional designer. Function before form, ideas will always win, etc etc. And I can put together a decent case for a black and white version of a logo. But if you start to look at the evidence it becomes harder and harder to defend. We need to be clear that in the example above I'm specifically talking about digital companies that operate in the digital world. They don't have shops or vans. I don't know if you've noticed, but there's some pretty big money in this arena these days, Amazon, Facebook, Skype, Yahoo! et al. Do they need b+w versions of their logo? Read More...
Mar 5, 2009
15 tips to choose a good text type
Many people have asked me which text type is best for a magazine, a newspaper, a poster, a newsletter, a publication, etc. In general, I tell them which to use, but I know that this is not the best answer, because they won't learn to do this by themselves.
Today, I want to take time to analyze how to choose correct text typography design in different cases. It is very important to understand that these tips are not final word, but they can be good help at the moment of choosing a text type. In any case, it depends on what do you want to convey with this type, because many times legibility is as important as the character of the type. Try to be very careful and take in account the following points:
1. The Letterform
The ‘ductus’ represents the framework of a type. It is very important. For legible text we need typographies with a simple ductus without complex details. Those details distract from the reading process and we need the reader to pay attention to the content and not the text.
2. The Weight
When we discuss the ‘weight’ of a type, we refer to a consistent relationship between the characters themselves, and the light of the page that flows around them. If you use a light version of a type for a lot of text, reading of this text will probably become tiring and nobody will want to read it. More....
Today, I want to take time to analyze how to choose correct text typography design in different cases. It is very important to understand that these tips are not final word, but they can be good help at the moment of choosing a text type. In any case, it depends on what do you want to convey with this type, because many times legibility is as important as the character of the type. Try to be very careful and take in account the following points:
1. The Letterform
The ‘ductus’ represents the framework of a type. It is very important. For legible text we need typographies with a simple ductus without complex details. Those details distract from the reading process and we need the reader to pay attention to the content and not the text.
2. The Weight
When we discuss the ‘weight’ of a type, we refer to a consistent relationship between the characters themselves, and the light of the page that flows around them. If you use a light version of a type for a lot of text, reading of this text will probably become tiring and nobody will want to read it. More....
Free symbols!!! from AIGA
The complete set of 50 passenger/pedestrian symbols developed by AIGA is now available on the web, free of charge. Signs are available in EPS and GIF formats. Link!!
Feb 20, 2009
Styles, Weights, Widths; It’s All in The (Type) Family
This is about understanding the style of typeface. If you just start learning typeface, this is right for you.
Styles
The concept of coordinated type families consisting of different related typefaces or styles is a fairly recent phenomenon. The two most common styles are roman (upright) and italic (a different, slanted design). The basic shape of italics is a stylised form of handwriting. It took form in the Renaissance when Aldus Manutius looked for a space saving alternative to roman faces. Without going too much into details, originally italics were designs in their own right, unrelated to roman designs and used independently. Only by the sixteenth century did the italic assume its current role as emphasis, a variation on the roman design. Read more.....
Feb 12, 2009
A Good Resource of Graphic, Typo Poster
we intend to become a good resource of graphic and typographic posters to serve all your research needs – either historical or inspirational.
or ideal is simple: feed and consume quality.
although posters may contain illustrative and photographical content, we catalog only those with notable graphical or typographical quality.
just because we love the pure form of graphic design – shapes, types and colors. More work http://www.typographicposters.com/
or ideal is simple: feed and consume quality.
although posters may contain illustrative and photographical content, we catalog only those with notable graphical or typographical quality.
just because we love the pure form of graphic design – shapes, types and colors. More work http://www.typographicposters.com/
Feb 8, 2009
Interesting graphic sites
http://www.bitique.co.uk/ contain many graphic sites. They separate by categories.
Spaghetti is a Middle Eastern magazine featuring the best in contemporary graphic design, illustration, photo design, the new media, corporate design, advertising and typography.
Daniel Cassaro is a Long Island native and Graduate of The School of Visual Arts. He lives, works and trips the light fantastic in Brooklyn, NY. He is available for freelance work or to talk about early Wings albums. Take look his works more at http://youngjerks.com/main/
Feb 7, 2009
PSA Posters Examples
Look particularly at the file labeled "punched out holes."
it has text around it that explains what the designers were trying to accomplish.
Take look more examples at http://www.experimentaljetset.nl/
Gen said
"I agree that, at least in the punched out holes example, experimental design uses visual links rather than " conceptual" ideas, but...we still have a lot of discussing to do (in class) about what concept in graphic design. re advertising, it's relatively easy. but, re graphic design, it’s still a conversation underway. do your best to relate your design to a visual idea from your topic, or better, an abstract concept that conveys the message using intellect, emotion, or humor.
don't preach, don't caution. encourage the viewer to see your point in a positive way."
it has text around it that explains what the designers were trying to accomplish.
Take look more examples at http://www.experimentaljetset.nl/
Gen said
"I agree that, at least in the punched out holes example, experimental design uses visual links rather than " conceptual" ideas, but...we still have a lot of discussing to do (in class) about what concept in graphic design. re advertising, it's relatively easy. but, re graphic design, it’s still a conversation underway. do your best to relate your design to a visual idea from your topic, or better, an abstract concept that conveys the message using intellect, emotion, or humor.
don't preach, don't caution. encourage the viewer to see your point in a positive way."
New Assignment - PSA Posters
Your new assignment description
1. Design four (a series) PSA posters that I might see together or separately, wheat pasted on the street, or in the subway, etc.
2. choose your topic. Do not choose something i already know-- ie, no anti smoking, HIV/aids, starving children in Africa, no child left behind, stop world hunger, save the whales, dolphins, polar bears, etc.
3. Choose a topic that is interesting to you, that you'd like to share, and that is related to NYC, (may include any or all of the five boroughs).
4. use only typography and graphic elements. No illustration or photography.
1. Design four (a series) PSA posters that I might see together or separately, wheat pasted on the street, or in the subway, etc.
2. choose your topic. Do not choose something i already know-- ie, no anti smoking, HIV/aids, starving children in Africa, no child left behind, stop world hunger, save the whales, dolphins, polar bears, etc.
3. Choose a topic that is interesting to you, that you'd like to share, and that is related to NYC, (may include any or all of the five boroughs).
4. use only typography and graphic elements. No illustration or photography.
Feb 3, 2009
Top font of 2008
Original posted by Type Talk
The top font from Veer, MyFont, I love Typography and Font Shop. Please feel free to take a look and love to see more click on each picture will go to direct link.
Veer
My Font
I love Typographic
Font Shop
The top font from Veer, MyFont, I love Typography and Font Shop. Please feel free to take a look and love to see more click on each picture will go to direct link.
Veer
My Font
I love Typographic
Font Shop
David Berlow specimen sample
This is another example of type specimen, but don't do the same direction as example. Try to do on your own direction. The example just give you an idea of function and what stand for. So think about concept first like do you this project for what?, what is the purpose of this project for yourself? and so on. However, don't come up with the answer cause of class project. Good luck.
Here is the link to the David Berlow specimen pdf.
Here is the link to the David Berlow specimen pdf.
Type specimen Q&A
Original posted by Ayca. Thank you
So let me explain the reasons for this assignment first:
Q: The decorative texts don't always have many options. How are we supposed to make an entire page of examples of the decorative one? Just use different weights or what?
A: Use decorative faces in different styles as display and that should be enough.
So let me explain the reasons for this assignment first:
- You will have a decent type example you would take reference from in future projects.
- You will get comfortable using some particular typefaces.
- (If you design it well) you might have a portfolio piece.
Q+A:
Q: Can we use lorem ipsum for the text face examples?
A: No, do not use Lorem Ipsum for your text. Instead, please find some text on the Internet or use your own, since Lorem Ipsum never looks like real text. Try to pick a text that's related to your magazine's subject matter.
Q: Can we use the same font for text as display? For example, if I choose Miller as my Sans Serif Display type, can I also use it for my Sans Serif Text type?
A: Yes, you may use the same typeface as "display" and "text". It would be good to see the same typeface in different styles. At the same time, you may find out that certain display typefaces go along well with different text typefaces. It's to your advantage to do this exercise with as many fonts as possible.
Ideally it would be best to set each typeface all both as "display" and "text", just like David Berlow did to see the relations between the different styles and point sizes of each typeface (see the image below where he experimented with the typeface FB Scotch).
Q: The decorative texts don't always have many options. How are we supposed to make an entire page of examples of the decorative one? Just use different weights or what?A: Use decorative faces in different styles as display and that should be enough.
Feb 2, 2009
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