Is less really less?

I might say so, but spanish illustrator/typographer/designer/god Alex Trochut would say otherwise.

In my opinion, and from what I've seen, the philosophy amongst most designers these days is to focus on simplicity and minimalism. I personally prefer to work in this way; I think that because graphic design is essentially visual communication, whatever message you are trying to get across should be easy to read... it really shouldn't take long to figure out. The worst thing is losing a viewer's attention. That's when you know for certain that the design has failed.

But what can you do to entice the viewer? To make it so that it's not so easy? You need to have great artistic ability to pull this off, and when if you do, it's actually a good way of bragging. "Hey. Look how good I am with letters. It's going to take a minute for you to see this."

When does illustration become graphic design? Is there a concrete distinction? I guess graphic design can be considered a raw process. We deal a lot with layout, systems, grids, etc. But the integration of illustration into clean design is a great way to be unique. Alex Trochut is a mastermind at this. His works demonstrate so many skills and styles that it's impossible to call him simply a designer. Trochut most certainly believes that more is more. His brilliantly detailed execution of clever ideas set him apart from all modern typographic artists. It's hard to see how he ever can stop working on a single piece. He goes over the top and thinks completely outside the box. He has worked for as many big-name clients as you can think of. This is because his work is ever-changing and always progressing.

If you want to want to lose track of time for a little while, take a look through his impressive portfolio.

Another Dimension Another Dimension

A couple of months ago while browsing through artists online, I stumbled upon the portfolio of a graphics studio called Serial Cut based out of Madrid. The studio creates all sorts of 3D animation and illustration, but their specialty is 3D typographic illustration. The creations are often sculpted or built by hand, but there are a few that are digital reproductions. Either way, Serial Cut's typographic illustration seems to have a life of its own, and a seemingly tactile quality that allows the viewer to experience the type from all angles.

I originally browsed through their portfolio on this site, Bernstein & Andriulli, which is an artist management agency. There are a lot of incredible portfolios on the site, so please give it a look. Serial Cut's official website is here. Enjoy!

Sketching is only the beginning.

  When it comes time to start a new project with type, I always try to think about the advice of my teachers, saying to think about what audience you are trying to communicate with, what contrasting fonts would help the piece, and to think about what time period the font is from and what it reflects. As students at Tyler, we are exposed to dozens of fonts whether they are older, or even just developing, but I always wondered what makes a certain typeface reflect the time period in which it was created, and how were they created. Well, like everything we do at art school, it starts with an idea, and sketches upon more sketches to determine a direction in which to go.
  Steven Heller, a well-known art director, and writer who specializes in topics of graphic design, recently released a book showing the process of designers who are creating fonts or who have created fonts that we use in our own studios. It is called Typography Sketchbooks.

Looking through this book provides incredible inspiration for what one can actually do with type. Some of these photos of the sketchbooks are mind blowing, showing a craft that takes discipline and practice to perfect.
 

Wearable Type

On many of my Pinterest binges, I have stumbled upon jewelry made out of or involving type! I think it is a neat idea and a different way of using letterforms in fashion other than wearing your initial on a chain around your neck or stitched into a sweater. It is new and modern and there seems to be a pretty big audience for it. I really like the idea of taking these letter forms that we are all so conscious and aware of from day to day, taking them out of their regular environment and abstracting them to the point where they become their own shape or pattern. This has been done, of course, on paper and screen, but I think it is such a fun way to bring this idea into real life and gives people an opportunity to express their love for type and gives a new spin on the statement accessory! These were some of the ones that I thought were most successful that i happened to come across:

Moving Type

So this week I decided to post a second blog on animated typography, focusing on there videos. both videos are by french designer Thibault de Fournas. The first video is a history of Futura, from its creation, to the construction of the font, and towards some of its real world applications. the most exciting part about the video is that the whole video is composed of animated Futura type and uses the full family to create motion and mood through the video.


FUTURA LE SPECIMEN ANIME from Thibault de Fournas on Vimeo.
The second video, Karloff, convergence of beauty and ugliness,Karloff connects the high contrast Modern type of Bodoni and Didot with the monstrous Italians. The difference between the attractive and repulsive forms lies in a single design parameter, the contrast between the thick and the thin.
you can see more of Thibault work at http://thibaultdefournas.com/


Karloff, convergence of beauty and ugliness from Thibault de Fournas on Vimeo.

Printing: The old fashion way

For this week I wanted to focus on two videos, one showing the slow, but satisfying process of letter press print, and the other showing how antique process like letterpress and paper making struggle to compete in a digital world. The first video is Upside Down, Left To Right: A Letterpress Film, A short film about letterpress and one of the few remaining movable-type printing workshops in the UK, situated at Plymouth University. The film follows Paul Collier as he gives insight into how long the process takes to make a print, how old the materials he uses are, and how satisfying it is to get a print off the press and see that type with an inked in impression that an ink jet cant reproduce.

the video, filmed by Danny Cooke can be found at http://www.dannycooke.co.uk/my-films/  

Upside Down, Left To Right: A Letterpress Film from Danny Cooke on Vimeo.
The Second video Ink and Paper follows two companies Aardvark Letterpress, and McManus & Morgan Paper. the video follows the struggles and obstacles these two companies face in a digital world, and their reasons for staying for staying committed to there craft. Please check out Aardvark Letterpress, and Mcmanus & Morgan Paper at the following links.
aardvarkletterpress.com/
mcmanusmorgan.com
and check out the director, Ben Proudfoot's website here. benproudfoot.com
ink&paper from Ben Proudfoot on Vimeo.

Isn't Chalk for Sidewalk Scribbling?!

I am beyond impressed.

While searching on Pinterest for ideas for chalkboard menu for a friends wedding, I stumbled upon Dana Tanamachi’s chalk lettering. I was blown away by the skills she has and the precise execution she is able to exhibit, even with the use of chalk, a material in my mind that is nearly impossible to work with.

Dana Tanamachi is a graphic designer and custom chalk letterer living in Brooklyn, New York. She first moved to New York City, after receiving her BFA in Communication Design from the University of North Texas, to design Broadway show posters at Spotco – a leader in live entertainment branding. Not long after her start there, she took a job working under Louise Fili specializing in restaurant and food packaging. She now works full time as a custom chalk letterer and has been commissioned by clients such as West Elm, Ralph Lauren, Google, Adidas, Every Day with Rachael, and much more.

I am impressed and inspired by her work, and was especially blown away after seeing her process. She designs not only for the practical use of a chalkboard but also for print publications and even clothing! Check out her process on Vimeo , it is truly unique.

The lack of stencil, and size of most of these designs shows you how truly impressive her work is. It is neat to see someone take a medium that most view as childlike, or a scribbling tool and carefully use it to craft something. I think she sums up her work perfectly:

“A big inspiration behind my work is the idea of community. It brings me great joy to see people dancing, eating, and laughing with my chalk pieces as the backdrop. Even the idea of creating these pieces was birthed out of my community of friends here in Brooklyn. I find that I am continually inspired by so many of the creative people that I live life with—it’s those friends who initially saw my love of letterforms and encouraged me to explore that passion even further.

What I love about chalk is that it is such an ephemeral medium. We use it to scribble or doodle with, but rarely do we consider carefully crafting something with it. Maybe it goes against our practical nature—why spend time on something that will be gone in a day, week or month? But that’s why it’s the perfect medium— because for me it’s about the process. I love starting out on a clean wall, climbing up on a ladder, sketching with broad strokes, refining the letterforms, adding little details, etc. It’s a chance for me to take a break from the computer and create something purely by hand. I’m such a crafter at heart!”

Design is a process and I hope by everyone seeing this they can be motivated by the time and effort she puts into a single piece, and realize that the computer is not our only means of expression. Working with our hands is how we learned as a child, and sometimes I think people need to step away from technology and return to their roots. The images our hand can produce are what we know best, and one of our greatest creative tools.

Here is a link to her chalk lettering website & her Dribble with complete set of work. Don’t miss out!