So to me, the super broad answer to our given questions revolves somewhere around voices and how designers choose to present those voices. Sure, there's hope for the world culture. Calligraphists have been designing beautiful handwriting for quite some time. But even back to those ancient cave drawings in caves in France and even as present as pre-schoolers learning how to shape letters now, handwriting and the human voice are beautiful.
On to the "Shh...Don't tell part"
I'm fairly certain that everyone in the class has heard of or read a Post Secret book. I'd like to share their website as insight into visualizing the human voice. There's already a sense of spectacle in taking a bunch of secrets from people and sharing them with the world, but to add that bit of design that pushes the emotion forward helps that voice. Check it out. ...If for nothing more than the entertainment aspect, at least.
postsecret.com
Chris, I think you are definitely right! Design is a voice, a means of communication. So much can be said through images and text, especially handwritten ones because they cannot be exactly duplicated ever again. Handwriting is especially personal and unique, it is so expressive of individuality. That is what I think is so strong in much of your work. Your use of handwriting is beautiful and really gives strong meaning to your projects. Also, it takes much more time to make something by hand so that it comes out just perfect. I believe that great things take time, and something unique and rare is infinitely special.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen this site. I checked it out and thought it was great. Thanks for the heads up on it. I probably don't do enough hand-written type, but I do appreciate it when I see it. I think it is a great idea to step away from the computer and do something in a traditional matter. I am not sure if I have seen your work, but I look forward to seeing you project. I am always in awe of calligraphers, such a beautiful artform.
ReplyDeleteI think it's definitely important to use the hand in a traditional sense as well as the more contemporary sense. Even if it's just some sketches before moving to the computer, the hand should be doing more than moving a mouse and typing on keys. Handwriting can have a beautiful effect in the proper setting. I always appreciate a nice, clean handwritten approach.
ReplyDeleteHandwriting is definitely a unique voice that is specific to each person and can tell viewers a little something about everyone just by looking at it. However, I not want to downplay digital fonts. I do believe that digital fonts have their place too, it's just a matter of choosing which form will best convey your message.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see hand written text or even illustration, I am happy to know that there is still that human element in design and art and it isn't all turning digital. I love the effects that can come from digital work, but I really love combing the two forms even more. It creates a unique dynamic and for me is visually appealing.
ReplyDeleteThis site is so cool! I love how interesting and creative the actual postings are, and it makes it more powerful that they are true statements.
ReplyDeleteThe Postsecret site is exciting because it changes every Sunday, and if you miss something - it's gone and you can't find it (easily or quickly) again. The secrets exist in the moment. The Postsecret BOOKS, however, are exciting because the secrets are forever printed and bound together. It's interesting to look through the books and figure out why Frank put them in the order he did, what they have in common, and to think about who wrote them.
ReplyDeleteI luuuuurrrrrvvvve PostSecrets, though I haven't checked 'em in a while. I traded away the first book on swap.com (in my defense, they had a copy of "How to be an illustrator" by Darrel Rees that I'd been wanting...), but I was always astonished at the level of creativity that were on those postcards. Really inspiring. I really agree with Jess' comments about how handwriting is very personal and unique, and that the time it takes to do something by hand can imbue it with a certain level of quality that might not be present in the same way in something digitally created.
ReplyDeleteI think the use of handwriting is great and very unique to each person, I love that you take interest in this because it is something that is really intriguing to me.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed looking at this website and feel that the handwriting does add a personal touch because it makes it more intimate. I feel that handwriting is powerful because each letter is unique and cannot be duplicated.
ReplyDeleteI read a section of an article that stated, "Hand-drawn typography has recently emerged as a growing trend in print and digital medias. This is due in part from the fact that designers, illustrators, and art directors are struggling to stand out in a digital age. Basic desktop publishing and word processors skills have become blase; even neighborhood garage sale signs can be printed at home rather than being scrawled in permanent marker.
ReplyDeleteIn an effort to stand apart from the pedestrian usage of standard typefaces, many companies have begun to incorporate a completely new and unique font into their brand. Like the fancy calligraphy addressing a wedding invitation, the hand-drawn type is now a luxury item, much like typed print used to be not so long ago.
The usage of hand-drawn typography communicates definitive personalities with distinct references to the past. This “old-fashioned” feel can bring up sentimental emotions of long-lost love notes or the revolutionary feel of the Beetles’ iconic psychedelic album typography.
More often, hand-drawn typography is used to evoke the feelings of:
• raw, organic, earthy;
• a retro, pre-computer age;
• juvenile and teenage years;
• comics, zines;
• handmade, homegrown;
• indie and revolutionary (think protest
signs, album covers of the 60’s and 70’s)"
I have also noticed that many designers are now using images in branding to give the person, company, product, etc. a recognizable “face” to attract a specific target group. Designers are using more and more hand-written designs for logos and packaging. I may look more into this for my capstone project.
I also love hand written text and making my own texts. As far as the post secrets, I love that site and the post cards that people send in are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI used to read post secret all the time... I don't remember why I stopped. Thanks for bringing it back to the front of my mind!
ReplyDeleteI remember when i first came across the post secret book in either 2006 or 2007, some of them can be pretty depressing, but I love reading them and getting inspiration from some of the collage they include in their submissions.
ReplyDeleteI havent looked at that site in so long, in high school I remember we all had to send in a secret, but I cann't remember the context- but it is a great idea. That is a great project that can connect to design, I feel like it can be a form of therapy and expression for a person, especially those who value anonymity.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the subject of handwritten type, it reminds me of Tony's work and this emerging issue of analog vs digital. I think this subject is actually creeping into many parts of society and industries. Are we getting to that point in history where we are going to start looking back to the lost arts? How do we move forward from here, but still retain that voice? Chris, your handwritten work is beautiful and has your personality within the form, I always know its your work. Does digital have the same affect or at least to the success of that which is hand done?
i always stare at the cereal box in the morning, and im usually thinking that i can definitely do that job.
ReplyDeleteI have seen books like this, but not this website. I enjoyed looking at it and agree with you that design is voice. Handwritten fonts just have more of a voice to them; there is more emotion behind the font and it is always unique.
ReplyDeleteI think the funny thing about handwriting is that everyone is so critical of their own. Probably due to the fact that we look at it all day!
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at hand writing that isn't my own I most always find it effective and wonderful. This site really helped me see that just because it is hand writing doenst' mean it needs to be beautiful to be what the piece needs to create a mood. Thanks
ReplyDelete