The ultimate vacation

Are you interested in typography? Do you feel that you don’t quite know what you’re doing when it comes to letterforms and text? Do you want to know more? Or perhaps you just want to visit the ‘Typographic Archipelago’ (and get your company to pay)? TypeCamp is one of the few places in the world where you get to relax and talk shop while surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

This years’ instructors are Tiffany Wardle (aka Typegirl), typographer and graphic designer with fabulous type identifying skills, Dyana Weissman, Font Bureau type designer extraordinaire with Benton Modern Display on her list of accomplishments, and Dr. Shelley Gruendler, typographer, educator and founder of Type Camp.

Is it worth it?

It is whatever you want it to be. Do you want to learn more about typesetting? Type design? Typographic history? Type selection? It’s all there. Our aim is to expose you to all aspects of the subject and beyond what is covered in a classroom. You will meet people from other countries and you will experiment with ideas. It’s not about rigid perfection, it is about flexible learning while enjoying every minute.

Will I have fun?

Of course! It is your chance to travel back to your childhood summer camp where you were able to kick back and feel the sun on your skin and the grass between your toes. Only this time, you get to do this all while finding new inspiration in your design work and being surrounded by other type-keeners.

Breakfast is at the humane hour of 9am and the morning discussions start an hour later. After lunch, we have several hours of workshops and then we go on an excursion to explore the other parts of the island such as Montague Harbour:

or the Bodega Ridge:

All the rest is free time so you can go for a walk, watch the eagles, or just hang out with the other campers in the cabins:

We combine learning with living.

Interested?

Register for Type Camp Galiano 3-8 August 2008.

If you have a type-related event that you wish to tell the world about, then why not do it through these pages. Events are posted completely free of charge, of course.

And, if you’ve attended Type Camp, or you haven’t been and have questions, then ask away in the comments below, and someone who knows will answer. Be sure to check out the other Type Camp photos.

roman, italic, rotalic

August marks iLT’s first birthday, and I’d like to ask you all for suggestions on how we might celebrate. I have begun organising some prizes, so if you can think of a competition or whatever, then let me know in the comments below. Don’t be shy.

I’ve recently begun heading this post with a lovely photo of found type. Let’s stick with that. Here’s one from Simon Pascal Klein:

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by Jos Buivenga

When I was asked by Smashing Magazine (SM) in 2007 if I could release a free font to celebrate their first anniversary I first thought that the release of Museo could very well be that font. However, it was nowhere near ready and, not wishing to rush things, I started to play around with some sharp elements I liked to see if something could grow out of it.

Still far too constructed of course, but the sharp elements did offer nice connections which I decided to keep and transpose to other characters as a key feature of Anivers.

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Parachute Type

Last week we led with a beautiful found type photo from David John Earls. This week we lead with another stunning photo from Adam Polselli. It just happens to be one of my favourite cars too. Anyone have a spare one languishing in their garage?

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Slab Serif / Egyptian

Welcome to the early 1800s and the birth of the Slab Serif, otherwise known as Egyptian, Square Serif, Mechanical or Mécanes. What’s with the name Egyptian? Upon Napoleon’s return from a three year Egyptian expedition and publication in 1809 of Description de l’Égypt, Egypt was all the rage, and it appears that type founders simply used a term that was on everyone’s lips, a term that was in vogue. The nomenclature has absolutely nothing to do with Egyptian Hieroglyph Slab Serifs—because there’s no such thing.

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strength of character

An exceptionally hectic week meant foregoing the usual mid-week post. Hopefully back to normal now, and I can finish the next instalment of the Type History series, Why Type Matters, and more. OK, sit back, relax and enjoy. First up is some beautifully photographed found type. Richard Roche has scoured the Web for the very best found type photos. This stunning shot was taken by David John Earls:

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Questionable Type

First, thanks to Kris Sowersby for his wonderful review of FF Balance. It certainly had me looking at that particular type in a fresh light. Today, we have quite a hefty Sunday Type, so let’s get started. A couple of weeks ago I posted an illustration of ten asterisks. Today, we have the humble question mark.

No one is quite sure how the present form came to be. Some believe that It originated from the Latin abbreviation for question, Qo, where the Q was written above the o.

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