Typophilia

Leave it to Becky and Anna to analyze the aesthetics of fonts. Are you surprised? Well, get used to it. It's what we do. 

 
I can't help but notice we are not alone in our affections. Text is everywhere. We are becoming less and less vocal and more visual with our interactions. Way to go Generation Y. 

Who am I kidding?! I love me some visual communication. I see typography as an opportunity to not only improve a composition aesthetically, but also represent the context and/or the writer in a more definitive way. I am all about engaging the reader/viewer by appealing to their unique personal identity (kinda fundamental to design if you ask me). And typography can (and should) be a MAJOR factor in this endeavor.

Fig. 1.1 I am normally a fan of the sans-serif, but this tote may very well change my mind. (image from littlefactory.com)

Fig. 1.2 A simple flowchart to help you make the right decision. In all you type, please refer to Fig. 1.2. (image from buzzfeed.com)

Fig. 1.3. Had to. (image also from buzzfeed.com)

-Anna

Type what you mean

Fonts: I don’t think there’s a lamer, more generic thing I would want to talk about. But I really do. If one super interesting thing has happened in the last 10 years, it’s the mobilization of technology (forget international terrorism, the first biracial president, or economic meltdown).

Before laptops and internet-capable phones, computer technological advancements stayed exactly where we left them: at home. The internet was an incredible advancement in the 90s, but we all had dial-up. Our huge desktop computers with their fancy schmancy internet stayed plugged into the wall of the office, and we went about our days in peace. Now, the instant access to internet and everyone we know via Facebook on our iPhones… there’s no escaping it.

That makes a hugungous proportion of our communication, and therefore our lives, existing in typed writing. 90% (total guess) of my daily social interaction is on Facebook, email, or text message. That brings us to the importance of the visual representation of that communication. Whether we’re talking to someone face-to-face or in writing, the way the visuals comprise the message is half the message itself.

Which brings me to my primary assertion: fonts require far more consideration today than ever before. San serif or serif, bold or italicized, simple or ornate, fonts speak just as much to our ideas as a jumble of silly words.

So next time you’re writing your “OMG I was soooo drunk” email, choose your font carefully. Let the letters talk as much as the words… you may be amazed at the layers of meaning you’ll achieve. Or how much you’ll embarrass yourself when you accidentally send it to your grandma.

--Becky

The Matching Game, Picasso Edition.

What kind of immature, unprofessional know it all goes into the Picasso exhibit at an acclaimed art museum and turns it into a childhood game? Becky and Anna, duh.

(we welcome any other matches if you want to play too)

I’d have to say that Picasso surprised me a bit. It seems he had a few tricks up his sleeve, little revelations for us to find after he left us. One of these nuggets for me was his love and appreciation for the works of his colleagues. Now, I have studied art through college (minor in fine art/art history) and for the most part it seems that artists think their shat don’t stink. Ya know? Like their work is the best type of art there is and will EVER BE. But it seems like Picasso, based on his personal collection of work, admired other artists to the extent that he would occasionally channel them, both in application and in context. Take another look at the matching game. Picasso emulates Van Gogh, Renoir, and even Duchamp?! I was floored. I still am.

Now, maybe we can learn a lesson from Picasso and admire one another from time to time, shall we?

-Anna

Images from: Jacqueline with Crossed Hands (Picasso), June 3, 1954, Oil on canvas, seattlepi.com, hollywoodteenmovies.com, Reading (Picasso), January 2, 1932 Oil on canvas citysbest.com, firstladies.org, Village Danse (Picasso), 1922 seattlepi.com, interagir.com, connect.in.com, Nude Descending a Staircase No.2 (Duchamp), beatmuseum.org, abcgallery.com, The Night Café (Van Gogh), artchive.com, Still Life on a Pedestal Table, March 11, 1931 Oil on canvas hiptravelmamacom, spongebobworld.com, La Celestina (Picasso), March 1904 Oil on canvas, seattlepi.com, contactmusic.com.