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Faux Type Fabulous
Posted by hrant in
10 Jan 2009 — 4:26pm
10 Jan 2009 — 4:26pm
I got a mailer with an amazing application of faux type.
Here's a detail (there's a ton more on the mailer):
It's not a font, it's all hand done - but to me it's
still so much more satisfying than calligraphy.
BTW, that "s" makes me think it was done from
memory, and not copied from a font.
It's from a company called Exclusive Resorts, and
their website has the same style going* although it
doesn't work nearly as well as on the mailer.
hhp
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10 Jan 2009 — 5:06pm
Yay hand rendered letters!
10 Jan 2009 — 5:35pm
yeah, I like it.
-=®=-
10 Jan 2009 — 6:30pm
And a practiced calligrapher could have made it look much better... or is it that you like dumbed down forms?
edit: pardon me, unsophisticated taste may be more "pc"
Michael
10 Jan 2009 — 7:14pm
Hrant, is there any reason you seem to dislike calligraphy?
I studied calligraphy for quite some time and find it's not only enjoyable, but a good way gain an understanding of both type and form. I know calligraphy is not in style like it was years ago, but I think there is still a solid place for it in the design world. There are a number of lettering artist and calligraphers who do beautiful work that is still contemporary.
Where I work I have to do both refined lettering/calligraphy and also very naive looking letters as in your sample. These days I do a lot more of the naive styles because the "regular Joe" style of handlettering is popular, but visually I like both ends of the spectrum when done in an appropriate context.
Stephen
10 Jan 2009 — 7:21pm
I think calligraphy can be beautiful and compelling. But faux type simply
turns me on much more. That's just a personal preference - nothing more.
But also, practically speaking in this piece at least calligraphy
would have made it just-another-pretty-face, while faux type makes
it much more novel and perhaps arguably more appropriate as well.
I'd suggest asking them for a copy of that mailer - it's a very nice piece.
hhp
10 Jan 2009 — 7:21pm
I think he was beaten with a broad nib pen as a child Stephen!
Michael
10 Jan 2009 — 8:10pm
I had a look at the way they used in on the website. The flash portion on the left was handled very gracefully and had a more striking contrast. The heading on the top of the paragraph on the right side was not. I thought it looked a bit too bulky and tight for the space.
One of the things that I do find compelling about these faux type settings is when the designer uses it like as if it were fine type. The contrast it sets up is compelling. Some of the hand rendered faux type and scripts that Chris Sickels of Red Nose Studio does are wonderful. He does 3d illustration and his lettering compliments it well.
http://rednosestudio.com/
11 Jan 2009 — 5:16am
Mm, I really dig this. It also feels quite interesting and appropriate in the context.
Actually, I think this approach could well carry more of the design; it would be exciting to see them play with the concept some more. Like introducing an element of imperfect sketching to the photography, maybe. And I wish they'd set those beautiful letters bigger!*
* On the web site, I mean.
11 Jan 2009 — 6:07pm
nice!
11 Jan 2009 — 9:11pm
BTW, that “s” makes me think it was done from memory, and not copied from a font.
It looks like part of the design, with the two "halves" of the outline crossing each other--compare in the adjacent "e".
Faux naïf.
11 Jan 2009 — 9:27pm
Not impossible, but perhaps too much to hope for!
hhp
12 Jan 2009 — 1:21am
I realy like the first "g", it looks like it's part of an animated illustration, I can almost see it moving :)
the rest of the letters, I think, could be a bit better...
12 Jan 2009 — 9:10am
Reminds me of this
12 Jan 2009 — 11:00am
So I had emailed them to ask who did the design,
and they were kind enough to send a prompt reply.
It's Leo Burnett in Chicago: http://www.leoburnett.com/
hhp
13 Jan 2009 — 3:16pm
to me it’s still so much more satisfying than calligraphy
It is to me too hrant. Every calligraphy-based typeface that comes out makes hand calligraphy more obsolete. Whether it is based on a font or not, hand lettering is supposed to have variations and imperfections just like our everyday handwriting. That's what makes it interesting and compelling.
My taste is for appropriate and beautiful communication. If that means using "dumbed down forms" then so be it. Sorry calligraphers, ITC Fine Hand put you out of the job.
13 Jan 2009 — 3:26pm
"Sorry calligraphers, ITC Fine Hand put you out of the job."
Damn, I better shut down my shop and apply for unemployment : )
No time at the moment, I have work to do!
Michael