So, I think we all cling to certain trends because we see these fonts EVERYWHERE, so we assume they are safe. It is rather sad that there is a lack of experimentation or thought put into our font choices for each project. I definitely think we all fear serifs. Fonts like Helvetica and Futura have become classics for our generation, although this is not necessarily the greatest thing ever. But another thing that makes them an easy "cop out" is that when you begin a project and don't know what font to pick, you start scrolling through the default fonts and Helvetica and Futura are always there. Sadly, this has been my reason for choosing Helvetica before. I shouldn't have admititted that. WHoops.
The overuse of these fonts waters down their intrigue. I feel like, especially after reading this article, a composition is instantly judged by the typeface before any sort of layout and graphic attributes. Someone may automatically judge a piece that would otherwise be typographically excellent as lame, because the student picked Futura. That is sad, but true. However, a response from the Graphic Design community would be to use Futura sparingly and fittingly. Thus, even if it is generally overused, if it is used properly no one can really pass judgement. I think it would be kind of cool to use it so well that people hate to love it, just out of spite :)
It kind of sucks that due to overuse, there seems to be a new font every year that we "shouldn't use". Maybe we need to reevaluate our font choices before we begin a project, and do a little research that goes beyond scrolling through the type list in InDesign. Hopefully by 2020 we won't be out of tainted fonts.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Letter City
When I was in Chicago there was type EVERYWHERE. I had the whole day to walk around, so I thought it would be more interesting to find type that wasn't literally "type". I liked the idea of the negative space between buildings acting as letter forms, so I copied that idea instead of just taking pictures of true typography. Here are my ABCs!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Good is Good
My mom is a nurse and my dad is a Catholic High School teacher.
Sometimes I feel like my major is selfish, revolving around a world obsessed with people just waiting to make something marvelous and toot their own horn. Where as my parents careers are devoted to helping others, and seem so selfless.
Sometimes I talk to one of my best friends on the phone, who devoted the past 4 months of her life to the Obama campaign. She wants to play her part in the political world in order to make good, just changes.
My room mate is a elementary school teacher whom works with special needs children. My little brother wants to teach special ed.
Sometimes I feel like I was swallowed by my major...with no time to do good. Or no reason to, since it will in no way benefit me. And that is TERRIBLE.
But all of these people, and even I myself often forget, that design carries perhaps the most potential to "do good" of them all. They all do things that are directly good. Design works silently, discreetly, but is EVERYWHERE.
This article reassured me that design is a power. If used properly, it can create whatever effect you want it to. Including "good". I always think about what I want to do when I grow up. I want to be some hot new blabbed about designer, like most of us, but in the end of the day I want to be able to look back and say, the stuff I designed made this world function better. It made someone's life easier. It made someone smile, or act, or think, or change. And that's why I'm here....because I like creating things, but I especially like making some sort of positive impact on the world.
Sometimes I feel like my major is selfish, revolving around a world obsessed with people just waiting to make something marvelous and toot their own horn. Where as my parents careers are devoted to helping others, and seem so selfless.
Sometimes I talk to one of my best friends on the phone, who devoted the past 4 months of her life to the Obama campaign. She wants to play her part in the political world in order to make good, just changes.
My room mate is a elementary school teacher whom works with special needs children. My little brother wants to teach special ed.
Sometimes I feel like I was swallowed by my major...with no time to do good. Or no reason to, since it will in no way benefit me. And that is TERRIBLE.
But all of these people, and even I myself often forget, that design carries perhaps the most potential to "do good" of them all. They all do things that are directly good. Design works silently, discreetly, but is EVERYWHERE.
This article reassured me that design is a power. If used properly, it can create whatever effect you want it to. Including "good". I always think about what I want to do when I grow up. I want to be some hot new blabbed about designer, like most of us, but in the end of the day I want to be able to look back and say, the stuff I designed made this world function better. It made someone's life easier. It made someone smile, or act, or think, or change. And that's why I'm here....because I like creating things, but I especially like making some sort of positive impact on the world.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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