Ive noticed a lot more graffiti in Madrid than I have in any other city I have been to.
The way of being able to instantly paint your name, signature or artwork onto a surface has its pros and cons. Some people use this medium to crate beautiful and elaborate pieces of typography, often in the form of a 'tag' or 'piece' (an english reference).
On the other hand some people choose to deface others property and create terrible eye sores.
MNT colours (Montana) is a company that has been producing spray paint in Barcelona since 1994, hence the '94' being the predominant piece of type on the label.
The 94 is a stencil type of font, a technique often used with the spray can so it incorporates that aspect of the products use into the design.
The labels inside of our t-shirts provide us with lots of information such as the brand, size, where it was made and the washing instructions.
For it to be easily visible when browsing through the items yet concealed when it is worn, the label is always on the back of the neck.
As to not irritate the wearer, it must be small and concise. So does the type. The font must be designed in a way that it can be printed using sewing machines and so that they are readable on a small scale.
Like all alcoholic spirits, Finlandia vodka have their own trademark logo that has to promote their product in order for it to sell.
Typography is perfect tool in which to represent the alcohol and its characteristics.
For example, a well matured red wine could be represented with a font that looks like an original hand crafted cut to show its sophistication.
However, the Finlandia vodka has chosen to represent its drink with a tall, capital serif font that suggests to me that it would be a sharp tasting spirit.
(not based on experience)
The seal on the lid also ties in nicely with the main logo with its choice of blue and red colours. I think that it adds a bit of class to the bottle.
Hellmann's Mayonesa.
Heinz Tomato Ketchup.
HP Honey BBQ Sauce.
Barbara Kruger is a famous Designer / Artist who is well know for creating artworks that contain bold typography.
She uses type as a medium to convey messages in her work.
Aways using the colours black, white and red. She makes eye catching designs that sometimes resemble advertisements.
"I shop therefore I am" is a clever play on words that derived from the famous French philosopher René Descartes who said "I think therefore I am"
Typography is often used by artists and creative people alike to covey a message.
BANKSY is a street artist that incorporates messages into his slogans and images.
Its not the design of the typography that conveys this but the way the artist arranges his words.
As well as using his own handwriting he often manipulates pre existing typography by simply crossing out or adding type he creates a new message.
A sharp looking font that represents the product its trying to sell.
The G and the I are most interesting.
A famous drink brewed on the emerald island.
The Guinness logo has been designed so well that it represents the alcoholic beverage entirely within its font.
The white against a black background, the drink is a deep brown/black colour with a creamy white head.
The serifs are small, pointed and rounded at the end, almost representing the head on the brink of overflowing the rim of the glass. The intersect of the stem in the letter N also represent this.
An obvious concept behind a simple design.
Its the lego movie title.
It is made out of Lego... simple
A really simple concept, by simply extending the capital C's finial is slightly extended into the "o" to make it look as if it was to represent someone posting a letter?
1. Fanta sin gas.
A subtle engraving into the bottle top that relies on the reflection of the light to become legible.
The product design enables the company to use every available surface to advertise on, typography is a simple way in which to utilise this space.
It may not be much, but you would see it every time you go to take a sip of the beverage. Could it possibly play on someones subconscious?
2. Coca-cola.
This is possibly the most well recognised logo that has not only dominated its product industry but has taken over the world of advertising and marketing.
Due to the craftsmanship and design that has gone into the creation of the Coca-Cola logo this simple white typeface against a red background has a powerful way of grasping our attention.
Because the marketing campaign is so huge, the image in litterly branded into our memories and it becomes instantly recognisable.
However, if you were asked to draw the logo, I predict that most people will struggle to accurately mimic the famous script.
This is why I believe that the coca-cola logo would be classed as "invisible typography" because people associate with the contrast of colours rather that the type.
3. Vehicle numberplate.
It was only when I was purposely looking for invisible type that I noticed the unique piece of typography that defines each and every vehicle.
Much like all typography, although we see it every day, we never take notice of what combination of numbers and letters on the plate but we know it's there.
We usually remember our own personal registration numbers, a strangers number is regarded as "useless" information by the brain unless for some reason you need to acquire someones else's i.e. You were involved in and accident.
4. Graffiti.
The majority of people disregard graffiti as illegible and defacing property.
However, I consider it to be an elaborate form of typography that is predominately used by the youth population to express their identity and creativeness.
At first, I assumed that the top word read "OREO" but upon closer inspection you can start to depict other possibilities within the chaotic design.
CARIEIO?
DPEO?
DRIEO?
DREQ?
What can you see?
Amsterdam is home to one of the most famous pieces of sculpture consisting of typography that has reassured the city as the culture capital around the word.
Located at the back of the Rijks Museum, the large I amsterdam slogan quickly became a city icon and am much sought after photo opportunity. The I amsterdam sculpture dominates the city in terms of the most popular outdoor art attraction. It has now become a viral image that the majority of the population would have stumbled across whilst surfing the web.
What makes it so popular must be down to the design of the type used in the sculpture.
The type is honest and playful. Copious amounts of people clamber up and across the letters as if it were a play area. The bold Red colour against the white gives off a certain minimalistic look yet the idea of simply having the letters I, a and m makes the viewer read I am sterdam. This brings about a sense of individuality.
The first piece typography I wanted to mention is the a piece of my own previous work that was the inspiration for my blog's header.
The piece of work is in fact my creative cv that I designed in 2013.
In all shapes and forms of type, I love how the negative space can be used to define the characteristics of the font. The shapes formed around the letters are just as crucial than the actual strokes used in the type.
By cutting the text out on Adobe Photoshop and then placing it over an elaborate pallet of colours, I feel as though I have captured a bit of my messy artistic character and have juxtaposed it with a sense of control. The Type acts as a stencil and allows me to to this.
