School Research Project on John Downer
Hello,
This is my first time on this forum and I am new to this page. I was recently assigned a research project for typography on a type designer. The designer that I received is John Downer. I am have some trouble finding the resources and information I need. The largest issue that I am having is finding information that is considered an article. I am only allowed 2 internet sources the rest have to be from articles and books and I need 6 sources total. I was looking to see if some one could point me in the right direction of where to look. I would appreciate the help.
Thank You.
13.Mar.2008 8.48am
There’s a passage in the Sign Painter section of the House Industries book about John Downer coming out and teaching them some stuff, try playing that one up. Also, have you tried searching The Design and Applied Arts Index for articles? I find that it’s often the only useful database for tracking down good stories about designers, especially type designers. If your school library doesn’t have access to that database, get the librarian to direct to a library that does. Because you’re in New York you have access to some great libraries, so get out there and ask the librarians to help you look stuff up. You should see if the TDC library has some stuff!
If you still have trouble, try printing all the good internet articles you can find by or about John and showing them to your professor, and pointing out that in a field as esoteric as type design, sometimes the internet is a better resource than a library. Also, check online articles carefully, sometimes they are reprints of articles that appeared in obscure magazines that aren’t in libraries, so you can just cite the original magazine.
13.Mar.2008 9.51am
I suggest also looking for articles about specific typefaces (Bitstream Iowan Old Style, Vendetta etc), as well as articles by John Downer. Emigre magazine must have a few of his articles.
13.Mar.2008 9.52am
John Downer on Typowiki
John Downer on YouTube
Bio Sheet on John Downer (PDF)
John Downer on Flickr
Call It What It Is by John Downer on Emigre.com
This article says a lot about John’s character. I can hear his voice as I read it. He doesn’t beat around the bush in the article and he doesn’t do so in life either. (At least not from what I’ve learned in talking with him over the years.)
The Art of Founding Type by John Downer on Emigre.com
13.Mar.2008 10.13am
Thank you for the help everyone. I will look into everything you have posted here and see what I can find. I really appreciate the help. I will let you know how it works out.
13.Mar.2008 10.46am
Bummer of a last name, huh.
13.Mar.2008 10.51am
When I first saw your topic I read “John Denver”. But I’d just woke up.
13.Mar.2008 11.09am
In addition to the Emigre articles that Tiffany cites, John wrote a short article for the introduction of his Vendetta type in Emigre No. 50, Spring 1999. I don’t know if it’s also online.
17.Mar.2008 9.15am
I’ve just been told about a few more articles which need to be added to John’s bibliography:
Lift and Separate, 1993, The Cooper Union
Emigre Magazine #38, 1996, Emigre Graphics
House Magazine #1, 1999, House Industries / Brand Design Co.
Building Letters #2, 2004, Union Fonts
Interrobang #2, 2004, Society of Typographic Aficionados