PRINT IS DEAD.....LONG LIVE PRINT

Picture from MetropolisMag.com

The digital type revolution - how has digital type design impacted electronic and print design in the 21st century

What is Digital Type? Digital Type takes an aesthetic and technical approach to typography. First generation of technology resulted in “bitmap” fonts. Bitmaps were created on a sheet of graph paper over a drawn letter and coloring in the boxes (pixels) that fell within the outline of that letter. The advantage for bitmap fonts were that they could be edited for quality and readability. The disadvantage of requiring a separate font for each size and resolution resulted in taking a lot of space in memory. The next and current, generation of digital font technology provides for “scalable” outline fonts, which are smaller in memory and faster to process. Analog drawings of letters are plotted with a mouse or stylus to create and outline representation, which are installed on a computer’s operating system, which became easier to use and more functional for design. Unicode is like a worldwide alphabet that ideally gives every character used in every language its own official little spot in the typographic universe. OpenType is the coding format that makes it possible to accommodate a specific design of all these signs into one digital font. An OpenType font has thousands of possible ‘positions’, empty boxes each of which can contain a character for any writing system.

As technology advances in many areas, Typography has taken a digital turn. Some believe when Macromedia introduced Flash, it changed the face of digital typography.For me, using Adobe CS4, has been a challenging and rewarding experience. I know ART majors can use this software with ease. But, for technology major, it takes some times to know what function is used for and the importance of using the feature to create the look your going for. Using Flash and Photoshop, hierarchy(layouts) are important when it comes to designing. Just imagine they didn't have the options we have now with OpenType, in creating new families of type digitally.

Digital type can be seen throughout E-books, online news & magazine websites, and design software. Digital Type design progression also enables savvy designers to produce large families of typefaces without drawing each character separately and gives them more flexibility to be creative. A disadvantage to the revolution of digital type; for example, all of Kindle’s editions are set in the same bookish serif typeface (named Cæcilia); which takes away the essential newspaperness out of them and turns visual hierarchy of printed pages into a bland roster of headlines. “I started believing that I could see a future in which the Kindle would do for the written word what the iPod and iTunes have done for music, said Karrie Jacobs.” When I read that the feedback, I knew Kindle was on to something as was Apple for the iPod and iTunes. Technology takes time and creative thinking. The company that Amazon owns to create the Kindle has been working on making color ink for the Kindle, but there not there yet. But, I know that they will be soon. As for color, the digital will be the same as any newspaper or magazine layout on the newsstands.

As the digital type revolution continues, we start to seeing less paper and more forms of technology to produce digital type. From printers, readers, laptops, and software.

Citations:

• “A Brief History of Digital Type”. Retrieved:< http://www.fonts.com/AboutFonts/FontTechnologies/digitalformat.htm>
• “Adobe OpenType”. Accessed : 23 November 2009. Retrieved: <http://www.adobe.com/type/opentype/>
• Middendorp, Jan.” Is type design teaching losing its soul?” Eye (Croydon, England); v. 18 no. 71 (Spring 2009) p. 83.
• Jacobs, Karrie. “Rekindling the Book, Can Amazon’s new digital readers do for print what the iPod did for music?” MetropolisMag.com (March 2009)
• Saffo, Paul.” The electronic piñata.” ID (New York, N.Y.), v. 42 (January/February 1995) p. 74-9.

The Butterfly Effect-Distressed Typography

I found this picture on the Ungrind.org website. I thought the typeface for this picture was a little distressed/fatigue. I like the image and the colors. I kind of wish they used a different color for the typeface because the word "butterfly" looks really distressed that you might can't make out the lettering. I want to know what you think?

Feels a little like Christmas

As you know, the semester is ending. I enjoyed this class. For me, this class has been an interesting and struggling experience. I'm not an ART major, but I do so very much enjoy the ARTS. This class has open my awareness and history of Typography. I would recommend this class to anyone who enjoys to learn something new. I wanted to leave you with something warm and chocolaty as the theme to my blog site. Enjoy the small treat!!!I enjoy the letter treament at the end of the the "ChocoLixir". It gives it a warm and rich experience when you drink the warm coco!

Rosa Mexicano (Latin Typography)

My cousin and I were at the National Harbor this past Friday, and it was interesting to see this restaurant logo, which was colorful and lively and had a Latin feel to the choice of typography. I never ate here, before, but just looking at the sign made it inviting to try there foods.

Chanel No.5 ( Historial typography reused in contemporary design)

Two weeks ago, a friend and I was walking around Chinatown, D.C. As as we were passing a store window, which had a big bottle of Chanel perfume on display. You would think I would pay attention to the big bottle of perfume, but I paid a attention to the choice of typeface. When you think about it Chanel has been in business since the early 1900's. They have never changed there logo for there Chanel No.5. Which was interesting to me, because this is an old typeface which is considered to be historical and mainly used in many forms. This typeface is a simple sans serif, but this typeface has been a hallmark for elegance for Chanel No.5 product.

Gaylord Hotel @ The National Harbor

On black Friday a day after Thanksgiving, I was at the Gaylord Hotel in Maryland viewing the decorations in the hotel. When I notice the store's typography. I wasn't able to go into the stores, but I was enjoying the choice of typeface the owners chose to use for their store front. My particular favorite is the Pajama Party one, because they use a rich gold background with a light pink border with a moon. In a way, I thought it was fanasty/childlike in a way. I don't know if it was the color choices for the background on the moon with the cap over his head. But, it was a joy to see this fresh look on typography.

Pretty Girls

I was discussing with a friend a particular shirt that a friend was thinking of purchasing to wear. From first glance, the shirt seems perfectly fine and the lettering is neat and clear in white letters. But when you further looks at the shirt, you see women posing provocatively throughout the typeface. After that second glance, we talked the friend out of purchasing that shirt, because it sent a message that only pretty girls that pose like this are "PRETTY". I wonder would anyone have a problem wearing this shirt?

Parson's New School of Design (Contemporary)

I was at the Parson School of Design website (http://www.parsons.edu/) a few months ago, and I saw this logo. Which I thought looked kind of cool. I like how they had the bold black letters in the black ground and place the other forms of the statement " THE NEW SCHOOL" in warm colors of orange and yellows. This design reminded me of our second project working in illustrator and how we could you the word and make some sense of it.

Bite into the Apple

I found this picture on a blog site called Ungrind.org, a Women's Christian Blog. As, I was reading some of the blogs from women of all backgrounds and ages. I saw this picture above the article written with the picture. The writing on this one, which was simple and I like how they place the name "Eve" into the apple with the heart carved out. As we know, Eve picked the apple from the tree and "Eve" stand for mother of the living. I like the typeface they used, which was simple and placing the apple at the end. To give it a signature touch.

このすしを試してください a.k.a Try this Sushi (Asian Typography)

I went to this sushi bar in Baltimore two weeks ago, the name of the place is called RA Sushi in Baltimore, MD. The sushi is excellent and they have happy hour specials on sushi and drinks.

As I walk to the the sushi bar, I notice the sign for the building which is the logo above. It's very simple, but has a modern Japanese feel to it. The colors are bold and warming. When you actually go into the restaurant, its a dim place with different blends of reds that make you feel at home.

Blackberry

I saw this advertisement for the a new service offered by Blackberry called Blackberry Mobile Voice System. What impress me about the advertisement was the typeface and how they show the importance of this feature through the typeface. I thought the typeface was simple and understandable. I thought it was pretty cool to use just one number for business purposes. I found this advertisement on the back page of a Trade Magazine called 'Government Computer News' 12 October 2009 issue.

Urban Typeface

Urban Typography, I think this picture looks edgy in a sense and a little raw. I like the typeface and the various of earth tones used in the image. It looks like the artist took 5-6 sets of pictures to create the one image. I couldn't find any information on the history of Urban Typography, but looking at a few images before deciding on this image, it looks like a form of hand written letters sometimes, misspelled words, or not grammatically correct writings. If you may know any history on Urban Typography, please send me a comment. Thanks.

Urban Typography

Wells Fargo (Banking Type)

Here is Wells Fargo, banking logo. When I see this typeface. I see value, tradition, and wealth. It sticks out because of the blood red and the golden yellow.

The name of this typeface is called, Myriad. Two designers from Adobe Systems created this typeface and was issued in the early 90's. This typeface is also used by Wal-Mart and Modern Telegraph. Information on Myriad

Visual Language or Mispelling Typeface?

Phonetic Alphabet

I found this picture again on the flickr site, guess what the picture says "Graphic design is a visual language". I thought that was interesting the way the words are spelled but if you look at it twice and pronounce the words you will get it.

Here is a site for a cheap sheet on Phonetic Alphabet. check here

New Age Digital

Museum of cinema, Torino

I found this picture on a flickr website with other cool typography paintings, drawings, and/or photos. I thought this was cool, I went to the actual site for the Museum of Cinema but the language was in Italian. I was assuming the language was Italian since the museum is located in Italy. I don't know what category this would be place in, but it has a Neon feel to it and looks like symbols or math drawings. I'm not sure, but if you know. Please comment. Thanks!

ABC easy as 123...Neon Lights...

Neon Alphabet

So, who had the time of there day creating this photo...not me. But, when you think about it, it could be some form of typography. Look at the letter shapes and how they form like its some kind of scribble or furturistic, or maybe I'm trying to see something that is not. I would like to hear your opinions??

If you notice, one letter is missing...which letter is it???? Ding the letter "X".

Graffiti Bag....

Rachel Roy Fall 2009 Collection

I chose this Graffiti Large Satchel by Rachel Roy because, this bag reminded me of the 80s. When it was chic to wear graffiti on your clothing. Now it seems like it coming back in some form of clothing, BIG BAGS!.

Avant Garde- can we say fresh...

Who would wear this on campus? I think I would just to see people's reactions. When they ask me about the necklace, I would then say do you know that this is a typeface?? Then look for the puzzle look, and explain to them what is Avant Garde, something that is innovative and forward in style and design. Here is a little more information on the Avant Garde typeface at URL: http://www.rightreading.com/typehead/avant_garde.htm. Also, note in the link, I didn't know Adidas use Avant Garde typeface for there logo. Pretty cool fact to keep record of. Avant Garde typeface was introduce in the late 60's. This typeface could be considered as an abuse to typography to some artist. This typeface can be seen in alot of contemporary design/fresh-forward companies.

typeset in the typeface "avant garde," this necklace is sure to attract designers, artists, and fashionistas alike. the pendent is cut from 3mm black acrylic and is 2.5" wide and 1.3" tall. it hangs from a silver chain approximately 16" in total length. (chain may differ slightly from the one seen in the photo.) (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vt_related_1&listing_id=29976341)

Cool Sites, that I think are worthy to check out...

Around the end of August, I went to a store called David and Goliath Tees located in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. I thought this store was the coolest, because the shirts had catchy saying and display of wording was interesting/funny. I don't know if the professor would consider this a form of typography. But, I thought this would be a cool site for the ART620 class to look at. I bought a shirt, a button, and a sticker from this store when I went, just because I like it so much.

URL: http://www.davidandgoliathtees.com/
*********************************************************************************

Here is another favorite of mines, I like the store called Papyrus. There's one located in Union Station in Washington D.C. This store is like a Hallmark. But, what makes Papyrus unique is the detailing that they put into the cards. The words are simple, but the art in the cards makes you fall in love again in giving one of the simplest form of gratitude in a card. If you have time, look through the website, and look at the cards typeface and artwork(detailing). The cards can be a little pricey, but when you love to give a card to someone and see them smile, its all worth the money.

Also, did you know that Papyrus is a typeface. "Papyrus® is the work of American designer Chris Costello, an unusual roman typeface which effectively merges the elegance of a traditional roman letter form with the hand-crafted look of highly skilled calligraphy. It includes an extra set of initialing capitals to enhance its unique style". (http://www.linotype.com/1085/papyrus.html).

URL: http://www.papyrusonline.com/

Typography blog

I found an interesting blog, that is kept update with the most recent findings of typography. I think this will be an interest to the class, to review.


Url: http://ilovetypography.com/

Hello my fellow ART620 Class

I just want to first say HELLO!