Sunday Type: book type
At the Press of a Button
Thanks to those who read and commented on Ben’s Letterpress from Scratch article. There appears to be something of a resurgent interest in letterpress. In fact, getting started is not particularly expensive. If you’re looking for more information on getting started, then be sure to take a look at the British Letterpress site, and the Briar Press Forums; and if you’re looking for equipment (metal type and the like), then even Ebay is a good place to start. If you know of local resources, or you’re a letterpresser, then be sure to let me know, and perhaps I can then create a letterpress resources page.
When Chris DiNicolas sent me a link to this photo, at first I thought, nice photo, but perhaps he’s sent it to the wrong person. Then I looked again:
It’s from the cover of Funki Porcini’s album Fast Asleep (I’ll need to Google them). Larger version here.
A wonderful video featuring a Linotype machine and the entire book-making process, ca. 1947. It’s well worth watching the entire video:
http://www.vimeo.com/1063458Via the brilliant underconsideration. And if you’re interested in seeing a little more of a Linotype in action, then watch this:
And if that isn’t enough to sate your appetite for Linotype, then see the Wikipedia entry, where you can also download the Linotype “manual”.
If you’re wondering what happend at TypeCon 2008, then take a look at Grant Hutchinson’s Flickr set. Anyone else have photos / experiences they’d like to share. Did you attend?
Field Tested Books
Today I received, all the way from Chicago, my copy of Coudal’s Field Tested Books book, and screen-printed poster. Highly recommended. The book is set in Electra (a Transitional style face—think Baskerville; relatively high contrast). Works well in this book. The sans used for headings / subheads is Berthold Akzidenz-Grotesk; not one of my personal favourites, but it does contrast well enough with Electra to do its job.
Also kudos to Coudal for actually including “A Note on the Type”. I really wish more publishers would do this. Oh, and it’s a really great read too. One of my favourites is Eric Spitznagel on Orwell’s Animal Farm. It’s limited edition, so hurry if you want to get a copy.
Origami Type
Designed by Robert Lang for Wired Magazine:
There’s also this great video on the making of the above piece:
Tried unsuccessfully to find more of this kind of thing. Anyone know of any origami or origami-inspired type or lettering? Many thanks to Mark Schenk.
And there’s even a nice type going by the name of Origami Std. Designed by Carl Crossgrove:
Some simply lovely letterpressed cards from Deb Pang Davis:
Sunday Links
‘Grammar’ Cheat Sheet—from retinart
Cast brass matrices made for Pierre Didot—TypeFoundry
Keep Calm Gallery site redesign—via Swiss Miss
15 Awful Mistakes Made by Designers in the Music & Apparel Industry
MyFonts Rising Stars (and MyFonts.com will be redesigned. About time!)
Setting Up a Baseline Grid—Aisleone
Stianed Glass Type—Lorraine Design
New Type
Village has three new releases. The rounded sans Router by Jeremy Mickel:
Orenga by Jordi Embodas:
Three new weights and two new dot variants (thin dot and bold dot) for Christian Schwartz’s Stag, Stag V2:
Remember that Village is pretty unique in offering the Taste Test,
If you purchase a single weight (or more) of any typeface we offer, then return later to buy a family set, we will credit you the amount of the original sale.
Inspiration
Some wonderful lettering from Linzie Hunter, the woman behind spam lettering (spam subject lines turned into beautiful hand lettering). Thought I’d mentioned her before, but I hadn’t, so here she is:
She’s also author of the Secret Weapon Postcard Book, to be published in November.
New poster prints from Si Scott:
Thanks to Keith Symonds.
Some nice spreads from Australian Hammer & Tong:
Thanks, Luke.
Great cartoon from Arístides Esteban Hernández Guerrero (ARES):
The Spoilers print from Oliver Moss, and available at Threadless:
Nice work by Abi Huynh:
Via WhyWeRock
Designer Daily always finds some great lettering and type. Love this Tacos and Obama wall from Chicago Type:
Interview
A new magazine and and an interview with Erik Spiekermann. An interesting interview, where Spiekermann talks about his joy of designing numbers.
And, no, that’s not him on the cover. Relaible sources tell me professor Spiekermann is in fact only 39 years old.
Figures are actually my favorite part of type design.—Spiekermann
In my own experiments in type design, I concur. I’m having most difficulty with the numerals. It’s easy if you copy or modify those from an existing font; but try to draw them from scratch—not at all easy. Mine look like they’ve been involved in (two) traffic accidents.
I was a little disappointed to read one of the negative comments on the interview. I don’t see myself as a Spiekermann fanboy (though he was setting and designing type when most of us were still in diapers), but the guy has given a lot to type, including some damn fine typefaces; and for that he’s deserving of at least some respect.
FFFFound pick of the week
I was unable to track down the author of this piece. Anyone?. Thanks to Benjamin Fritz who tells me it’s from Pablo Alfieri. Since learning that, I’ve discovered this piece too:
Flickr pick of the week
Snap and Tumble Letterpress:
They also have a blog.
I’m a fan of Roel Wouters’ (aka Xelor) work:
Roel is in fact the brother of Job Wouters. You may remember the video lettering piece of Job Wouters and his son Gradus:
Sunday Type: napkin type was one of the most popular ever Sunday Types. A number of readers sent in their own type doodles. Here are a couple from Tobias Goth in Stockholm:
If you have some you’d like to send, then just mail them to jboardley@gmail.com.
They needn’t have to look like this:
Thanks Richard Roche.
And let’s get the letterpress resources started with a good Brooklyn-based one:
Moontree Letterpress
55 Washington Street, Suite 608
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-422-0449 / info[@]moontreearts.com
Now it’s your turn.
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned Rajpurohit’s winning t-shirt design for Typohile. Emily at Punchcut reminds me that it’s only available through August 15th. So, if you want one, hurry.
Today’s Type
I mentioned Ludwig Übele’s Marat here some weeks ago (in fact, I liked the lowercase a so much, I stuck one to my front door). Here is his latest type, Mokka:
Mokka is available in regular, bold and italic, and is accompanied by small caps. You can read more about it in the MyFonts July newsletter.
And if you think that Ludwig only draws serifed types, then take a look at his Helsinki, based on old Finnish traffic signage:
And finally…
Who can name the type used in today’s header? Clue: it’s mentioned above. Thanks for reading, subscribing, sending links, emails; and thanks for all your great comments. Have a sublime week.
— Hochuli & Kinross
— Jeffrey Zeldman
42 comments * comment * trackback
y
(that album cover says Fast Asleep, not Fall Asleep)
Jul 27, 2008
johno
y
Thanks. Fixed now.
Jul 27, 2008
Manuel Martensen
I just fell in deep love with Helsinki. Kinda reminds me of the font used for most of the shirts i got from Printliberation.com. Massive ST this week John, and so early! Not eating all day seems to pay off for you :D
Jul 27, 2008
Natalie
Doodle type is my favourite kind! I just did some last night in the middle of a creative funk…
http://flickr.com/photos/xochiquetcal/2706913336/
Jul 28, 2008
j2
(funki porcini’s a him, not a them, and he IS awesome - I was excited to see this here, even though I’ve only seen THIS album as a tiny thumbnail on Ninjatune, and I didn’t notice it until now!) Hey look at this, parenthesis probably aren’t that necessary if there’s nothing outside of them.
Jul 28, 2008
johno
Manuel
I haven’t forgotten about your t-shirt :) I’m off to eat something now.
Natalie
It’s lovely. I’m just looking at your prints on Red Bubble now…
j2
Thanks. I guess I’ll have to listen to him now.
Jul 28, 2008
Alex Charchar
Hey Johno! Thanks for the link, it’s great to see a link to my little site right here on ILT!
Also, thanks for putting up a link to Moontree.. Just this last weekend, I picked up a Heidelberg Windmill platen just like theirs, and I’ve been on the lookout for other people using the same, or a similar, machine. Some great timing! And the origami type is just lovely also
Jul 28, 2008
Richard Roche
Wow, this was a big one. I’m loving all the links to the different letterpressers!
Jul 28, 2008
Deb Pang Davis
John,
Thanks so much for the mention. It’s always so nice and flattering to be a part of ILT.
I love all the treasures you find around the world.
Happy week!
Jul 28, 2008
LorraineDesign
Thanks for the mention, Johno! What a great way to end the weekend. :D
Jul 28, 2008
Justin
Header looks like Electra Bold or Electra Bold Display…I’m leaning towards the latter.
I am liking Helsinki, and love the funky chunky “a” from Mokka.
Jul 28, 2008
Scott Gericke
John-
Great post, as usual, and topic all around.
I enjoy your site tremendously.
Here’s a great resource for those who want to make a letterpress at home (or office). My brother-in-law made one in no time. Apologies if this has already been mentioned. From the Dec 07/Jan 08 issue of ReadyMade magazine, but I found a link here: http://readymade.com/project/press_kit/
I’d be curious to here from others who have made one and good luck to those who attempt to do so.
Jul 28, 2008
Justin
Scott: My last spring break was spent making one based in part on those ReadyMade plans. The top crossbeam cracked during the first test impressions. I used a 6 ton bottle jack, I think a 4 ton jack would have been plenty.
Jul 28, 2008
Bullish Bankers
I gotta say that this is one of the best posts that I’ve seen in awhile. Well laid out and well articulated… this was a fun read :)
Jul 28, 2008
Leigh
I agree with Bankers, a wonderful (and long) sunday type!
Yeah, I think the “i love” is in Electra Cursive Display, and “typography” in Electra Bold Display.
Jul 28, 2008
Kari Pätilä
The Helsinki traffic sign is news to me, which is kind of sad because all we have now are these. Some of the hospital signs (not pictured) have kerning so bad they make me want to check in immediately.
Jul 28, 2008
MP
Lovely post Johno,
I like that photo of the Heidelberg Press, that metal cover reminds me of a muscle car valve cover, really neat. That press got me thinking, I’m going to Germany in September/October (München/Nürnberg Area); got any recommendations on studios or printing shops to visit? Any other members have any suggestions? Cheers.
-MP
Jul 28, 2008
Tanya
Thanks for the plug John, it’s an honour to have snapandtumble mentioned on ilovetypography.
Jul 28, 2008
Jan van Bochum
Not to nitpick or anything, but Spiekermann is not 39… or that was a joke and I really didn’t get it. According to wikipedia he’s 61.
Anyway, nice article again, lots of interesting things. Thanks!
Jul 28, 2008
john cooper
Here’s a very cool cut out card alphabet poster http://flickr.com/photos/atomicshed/2692512416/
Jul 28, 2008
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio
I’m sure you’ve mentioned Linzie Hunter before, John! I know I’ve seen her stuff previously.
Hahaha, ooh, I love the Spoilt poster! I didn’t know all of them, but most appeal to my geek sense of humor.
And thanks for the link to Aisle One on setting up a flexible baseline. That kind of stuff is interesting to me. I need to get back to reading Bringhurst as he’s full of this kind of goodness.
It’s wonderful that you are featuring more and more letterpress stuff. Good timing!
Jul 28, 2008
Justin
Leigh
Wow, I completely missed the Electra Cursive Display. That happens late at night…
Jul 28, 2008
Robert
Wow so much to look at this week. Very good stuff John. I’m loving Jeremy Mickel’s new typeface, and thanks for all the inspiration links you’ve provided. Oh and the typeface that’s on your front door is Marat :)
Jul 29, 2008
Ryan
I love the spoilers print, it is freakin’ amazing.
Jul 29, 2008
Emme
Yes, yes. A great post. One of the best meta posts you’ve had. Thank you.
Jul 30, 2008
The Ad Mad
Greatest typo blog ever!!
As usual great findings, keep up the great work, it’s really a dose of inspiring stuff.
thanks for sharing all these!
ale - flickr.com/ale_dg
Jul 30, 2008
johno
Alex
Sounds great. Be sure to let me know how you get on with your new baby.
Justin
Electra it is. That’s good enough for me. And yes, it’s cursive display plus bold. The bold display is only different in the fitting, I think—quite a bit tighter; and too tight for me.
Scott
Thanks for that link. Hadn’t seen that DIY press before. I’d also be interested in hearing from others who have made their own.
Leigh
Also correctly identified as Electra. See above response to Justin.
Kari
I think they’d have been better off sticking with the old ones. I’d like to see those hospital signs, if my heart can withstand it.
MP
Can’t think of any off the top of my head. Might be worth posting your request on Typophile.
Jan
Yes, it was tongue in cheek—really a reference to the man’s apparent eternal youth. Thanks for your comment.
john
Thanks for that link. Off to take a look now.
The Ad Mad
Thanks for the Flickr link, and for your kind words.
Jul 31, 2008
Andre
Reading the Sunday Type is a joy! Some really nice pictures, really… Personally I’m in love with letterpress stuff and type posters :P (oh, and I find the Mokka font just beautiful!)
Keep up the (needless to say) awesome work, John!
Jul 31, 2008
Hamish M
Fantastic collection. I think Sunday Type is just getting better and better.
I’ve been away on vacation for a little while, so I’m just catching up. Thanks for the excellent collection of goodness, as usual, John.
The spoilers print is particularly nice. Good thing I either knew all of them, or didn’t recognize the source. Hehe.
That first CD cover is indeed, quite nice, I almost didn’t see it at first either.
Aug 2, 2008
johno
Andre
Good to see you here again. Thanks for your words of encouragement.
Hamish
Noticed from your tweets that you were vacationing. Hope you were able to relax.
Aug 3, 2008
Tobias
Another fine 35’ video (made in 1960) concerning the Linotype machine, which describes IN DETAIL the function of that device, is to be found on the ccc-server. A short excursus to Teletypesetting is also included.
> http://chaosradio.ccc.de/ctv122.html
Direct link to the media-file.
> http://chaosradio.ccc.de/media/video/typesetting.mp4
Aug 3, 2008
johno
Tobias
That’s a wonderful video, and one I hadn’t seen before. Many thanks for posting the link.
Aug 3, 2008
Freelancer CreativeGroup Bonn
big thanks for the hole article.. some very nice links..
Aug 7, 2008
Garo
Heya, I think you’re crediting ISO50 with the cover to the Funki Porcini album. It’s actually by Kevin Foakes (Strictly Kev) who is the art director at Ninja Tune and the main man behind the DJ Food project.
Aug 12, 2008
johno
Garo
Thanks for that. I’ve fixed it now.
Aug 12, 2008