Typography Blog

A collection of typographic works

[modernizor]

Helvetica vs. Arial

via scm.ulster.ac.uk

[itsleylamo-blog]

I don’t know if this is exactly a design, but it’s interesting to see how even just the slightest differences between letterforms can create an entirely separate typeface. Sometimes it’s hard to know what typeface would best suit a design, and I think exercises like this one can help show the small characteristics that give a typeface its overall feeling. Tone has been something we’ve been looking at recently, and I think examining these basic elements of the letterforms can lend itself to shaping a design’s tone. Sharp, serif letters will come across a lot differently than rounded, sans-serif typefaces, and I think comparing these kinds of differences can help designer’s see how tone can be created. 

[jmocek]

R2 anniversary @ Berlin

[itsleylamo-blog]

Similar to the previous set of posters, I feel that this is another intriguing example of the kinds of changes I can be making in my own poster designs. The use of color is strong and bold, and the balance of negative space is strong as well. All necessary content is displayed, but I do not feel overwhelmed when looking at it. The typeface, particularly in the bottom portion, is quite striking, and helps pull my eye through the page. 

[prettyclever]

Cécile + Roger

[itsleylamo-blog]

What drew my attention with these posters was that they all look like great examples of how dynamic typographic-based designs can be. Considering the poster project we have been working on, I think these are super helpful examples of how to push the designs as we have fewer restrictions. I keep getting stuck in how to break the grid, and how to arrange all of the content in an interesting way. These all seem to hold to a grid, yet are also all visually interesting and complex. I want to look at these, and I want to know what they are giving information about. I feel they also all empty color in ways that elevate the design, rather than distract from it. 

[jamesusilljournal]

@another_poster

[itsleylamo-blog]

I found all of these to be compelling typography-based designs, but I was really drawn to the first and fourth posters. The first perhaps because of our expressive words project (I obviously jump at any connection to what we have worked on and/or are currently working on). I think they both illustrate pretty powerfully the words themselves. I never thought the word bubble bath could be cool or edgy looking, but this designer got there. The manipulations and distortions of the texts are very simple and subtle, but are executed well. There is definitely some good craftsmanship in these posters. 

[jmocek]

Poster for Harvey Sutherland & Bermuda Summer Tour 2017/18

[itsleylamo-blog]

I was first drawn in by all the different weights and typefaces- it’s easy for a design like this to look too jumbled or overwhelming, but I think the layout on this works quite well. There is a lot of information to convey, but I don’t feel overwhelmed or lost reading it. The form in the middle definitely references our letterform compositions project, and it feels like a really compelling combination of various parts of different letters. The flow of information and text is pretty natural, and I see a loose ABA format in this design. All in all, it’s the kind of combination that I help to be able to master down the line. 

[typostrate]

The Typefaces

is a very nice and small typography Shop where you can get some cool alphabet posters. Scott Lambert, design director wrote us and told us that the shop is an inspiration to the child within every designer. Have a look!

[itsleylamo-blog]

I was drawn to these typefaces because of their playfulness. I think it is pretty difficult to communicate a feeling or personality using only letterforms, but this designer managed to do just that. Not only are the letters interesting and whimsical, the small elements added really make them come to life. They feel like creatures rather than just letters. I couldn't help but smile at the odd little creatures created simply using empty/implied space and small marks. 

[nr1-logo-design-inspiration]

Burger King lettering design

[itsleylamo-blog]

Honestly, this one just made me laugh. I am not a huge fan of Burger King, or just fast food in general, but I think this logo concept does make it slightly more intriguing. This reimagining of such a recognizable logo completely changes the associations I make with the restaurant. This hand-drawn feel makes it feel, well, a bit classier. Like maybe they serve gourmet, instagram worthy burgers, not whoppers with black buns that turn your mouth green. It’s pretty true to the actual logo, so I think it is just a really great example of how typography choice can completely alter one’s perception of a place. 

[da-bang]

[itsleylamo-blog]

I was first drawn to this design because of the text- I find it to be, for lack of a better term, cool. It’s a nice mix between modern and retro, and I think the overall design is composed really well. It works as a poster, a postcard, even a magnet. It gives information without overwhelming us with a mass of text. I also like the color choices- this is representing a desert, which I can definitely read from the designer’s choice of color. 

[hoyss]

Beautiful Typography.

[itsleylamo-blog]

I was drawn to this design because I find the use of curved and straight lines to be balanced quite well. I want to see what the rest of the alphabet would look in this typeface, and see a complete design. I can see the work, thought, and patience that went into crafting this typeface. It is not easy to incorporate such straight, bold lines and serifs with a singular swooping line. The different weights and curvatures (or lack thereof) work really well together. There are three different line weights, which typically would not work in a singular typeface. In this instance, they do work together and create a strong and interesting typeface. 

[garadinervi]

Tomoko Miho, poster for Great Architecture in Chicago, 1967

[itsleylamo-blog]

This poster reminded me of a few projects back, where we were only using letterforms/parts of letterforms to create our designs. I had to zoom in to realize this poster was doing something quite similar. I find it both playful and smart design. The letterforms mimic buildings, and this poster was designed to represent architecture. Simple repetition, as well as slight variation, has the ability to create complex designs. I appreciate the effort this designer most likely put in, as I too have examined the up close parts of letterforms. 

[lottereinigerforever]

What an amazing artist Peter Strain

see more at http://www.peterstrain.co.uk

[itsleylamo-blog]

I am more so drawn to first image, of Wes Anderson’s “The Life Aquatic”- this is perhaps one of the most dramatic typographic designs I have seen. It’s definitely in part due to the designer’s use of color and contrast to create depth in the design. I am very impressed by the designer’s ability to create a design that is both compelling and legible. I think in designs where the type takes on such specific shapes, it is very easy to sacrifice eligibility for the sake of form. This designer managed to avoid this, and the result is quite impressive. 

[modernizor]

[itsleylamo-blog]

I was first drawn to this work simply based on aesthetic appeal. The almost cut-out like aspect of the letters was interesting to look at. I personally find making 2 dimensional forms 3 dimensional quite challenging, and I think this designer was particularly successful. Then I paid more attention to what the text was actually saying, and appreciated the connection from this empty, punch-out feeling to the phrase itself. I think this is a good example of design and concept that work really well together. 

[beautifultype]

— Pretty cool numbers by @remrk http://ift.tt/2xnRgKA

[itsleylamo-blog]

Even though these are not technically letters, I still enjoy the typography being used. I think this image struck me because it’s reminiscent of the process we just went through, using a specific grid to create a typeface. After having to have done this process myself, I appreciate the preciseness and original-looking work. I would definitely be interested in seeing how this typeface would be imagined into letters. The “random” areas with the extra squares are well-thought out, and are pretty obviously strategically placed. I can imagine this person reworking this many times to get that part right, which I also appreciate. 

[everydayaposter]

[itsleylamo-blog]

Firstly, the text itself caught my attention-it’s pretty random, and funny. I can’t help but picture what the text is describing. I then noticed the font, and how bold and straightforward it is. It’s an intriguing juxtaposition, to use such a bold and simple font to make a rather out of the ordinary statement. I also appreciated how the text is broken up. I personally struggle with trying to separate text in the appropriate places, and I think this designer did a good job of placing the break in an appropriate place. The read is not awkward, and you don’t get lost in what you are reading. 

[wordisdrawn]

tittle [tit-l] noun; a dot or other small mark in writing or printing, used as a diacritic, punctuation, etc.

[itsleylamo-blog]

Similar to the other images I have posted, I was first drawn to this typeface because of its punny nature (ha, another pun). I think it is a clever use of color that highlights what the the word is about, or in this case, is. I think the typeface itself is interesting because the serifs are not traditional. They seem almost a bit rounded, and are most definitely a bit angular. I find this interesting because to me, a lot of serifs can look very similar. It’s a cool twist on a standard part of serif typefaces. 

[coolandcollecteddesign]

Matt Chinworth. Check out some cool typographic experimentation.

[itsleylamo-blog]

I was particularly interested in the first image, but all of the above uses of typography are great examples of experimentation with texture and manipulation. The idea of making a design look as if it’s coming off the page, (while literally referencing a page!), is visually interesting. I personally have not mastered manipulating text in this way, which is why I think I am drawn to it. The designs resonate with me because I find them to be more artistically driven. I would say that I would consider myself an artist before a designer, so it is really cool when I can see the two worlds intersect. It reminds me I can use my artistic abilities in the world of design. 

[everydayaposter]

[itsleylamo-blog]

This design interests me because I would personally associate different color choices with the word being used. I would associate darker colors, like black or grey. Instead, the designer has used quite light, bright colors. It resonates with me because I find this kind of juxtaposition visually interesting and compelling. It makes me linger longer on the design to determine the designer’s intentions or reasons for making the stylistic decisions he/she did.