Another Stupid Font: Skin Type

2008.Apr.3. Thursday - by lvhrd

Here it is, another typeface made by someone with nothing to say. A new bit of hand type today, a new one inspired by skulls or animals tomorrow, and they never say anything.

It’s such a pompous, lazy way of approaching this medium. “I’ll make the letters, you make the message.” Why not package this type with an image USING it, showing how useful and moving it can be: I Get Off On This, Beauty’s Only Skin Deep, No Dogs Allowed … ANYTHING.

This isn’t a condemnation of creative wordery. Far from it. Apply this sort of thinking, not just to one letter, but whole words. Fuck the rest of the alphabet, do this:

It’s only when graphic artists start thinking about what they want to say, not how they want to say it, that things get interesting.

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Jeff & Says:
Apr.3.2008 : 11:57 am

I see nothing wrong with “formal” type design exploration just for explorations sake. The designer doesn’t always have to be the author. In fact, in a professional setting that is rarely the case. On the other hand way can’t a typeface, or one letter form, say as much as a poster or a painting. Doesn’t the design of something like this imply a mood, even a “story”: http://www.veer.com/products/typedetail.aspx?image=UMT0000300 Similarly the flesh pinching letters above evoke some sort of feeling. Spelling out “I get off on this” just does that, spells it out.

Or just blame this guy:
http://thingsihavelearnedinmylife.com/
But, yes, at least he has something to say.

Viktor Dukedoms Says:
Apr.3.2008 : 12:09 pm

I see nothing “wrong” with formal exploration either. Exploration and exercise are what lead designers to new ideas, and Yes, designers are rarely authors in professional settings, but shouldn’t that mean their personal and passion projects ARE a vessel for a message?

This doesn’t exclusively apply to type: there’s a difference between tagging and Banksy, style vs style with a message. Illustration, photography, and type: people react when you are saying something.

So when then, lately, have the designers spending all day with our alphabet had so little to say?

http://www.nicolavonsenger.com/e_archives_gelitin07.htm

I’m willing to go halvsies on this considering i drew lazers coming out of boobs.

Another Stupid Font: Skin Type

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