DesignYak

Anamorphic Helvetica

 

Via 

Why designers hate 12pt Arial

I went with work to a lecture on Thursday, given by typographer Bruno Maag from Dalton Maag. It was a really interesting talk, and we loved his passion for type and form. During the talk an interesting topic came up surrounding Arial and Helvetica. There's a perception that Arial is easy to read, and is often the type of choice for clients, demanding their work should be produced in 12pt Arial to optimise readability, especially for people who are visually impaired. I've always known this to be tosh, and it was good to hear world renowned typographer Bruno Maag back this up. 

This article is actually pointless as I'm guessing most will agree, so it's preaching to the converted. But as we all know, both Arial and Helvetica is regimentally designed. It's very consistent. Visually impaired people can often get confused when reading large amounts of Arial and Helvetica. For example, the letters e, o and c. The shapes are practically the same, due to the open counters being very 'clawed' in. The letters r and n also confuse as many start to join them to become a m.  

 

I don't think designers generally like using Arial, but I do get annoyed when clients (mostly councils, government organisations etc...) try to enforce this typeface, saying it helps visually impaired people when it really doesn't. Rant over.

Bovril is Beef Force!

Had a random day trip with the folks on the weekend, we went to a place called Buckler's Hard. They had a museum of the area and I saw this Bovril sign which had been recovered from a shipwreck.  

My new toilet sign

Been living in the new flat for a few weeks now, still don't have vital pieces of furniture but I have my priorities right by making this toilet sign. 

String typography

Here's some great photos of typographic experiments with string and pins. Created by Andrew Lister, who is studying at Northumbria University, Newcastle.

FIG.IT OUT – Bark Design

Bark Design have sent me a copy of FIG.IT OUT, their latest self publication that aims to explore current themes, notions and ideas. And what beautiful thing it is. I love the newspaper format, it's just a great thing to hold and really compliments the ideas, layout and typography that is explored.

Typography Soap

Yes, you read correctly! Now typography has the power to clean you!

Typographic Skateboard

Sorry there's been a shortage of posts in the past few days, been really busy with the new job! So here's a typographic skateboard to cheer you up, designed by Antonio Carusone, check out the website. Via Swissmiss

Alphabet Chair

Eric Ku has created this alphabet chair as part of his Mission Redefinition project, which you can see here. Via FFF

Font Conference and font fight

For anyone who hasn't seen this before, you have to watch it, Font Conference uses the names of typefaces to create characters, very funny. From College Humour. 

And there's a new one, font fight! Helvetica v Arial