TOPIC: USED AND ABUSED TYPE
Overview
Typography is a big part of our environment and an important part of our culture. It helps us to communicate messages which are portrayed through selected typefaces. There are so many different typefaces to choose from. It is interesting how certain typefaces seem to be more popular than others. Some typefaces are used so regularly that they may even be overused; turning into default typefaces and bordering on abuse. This is proven in the evidence we see around us everyday. Then there are the many designs which abuse typography simply by using bad typefaces. A high percentage of which are normally designed by amateurs who manage to break all the typographic rules without even realising it. Do they not notice the difference a typeface makes? do they not care? or are they simply limited to the default typefaces available to them on their computer software?
This report will investigate what makes a good or bad typeface. It will look at how typography is being abused by amateurs. Through my investigation I will try to create a new typeface for them to use, based on the bad characteristics of typefaces I find in the environment. My task is to turn bad typography into an acceptable typeface.
Chapters
Introduction
The rules
The first chapter will explain the rules of typography. It is important to understand the rules in order to distinguish a good typeface from a bad typeface. This chapter will focus on gathering secondary research to create a foundation for my report.
Popular Typefaces
Finding out what is so good about the most used typefaces will help me to understand what makes a typeface sufficient. In order to understand why a typeface is bad you need to know what makes a typeface good. This chapter will involve primary research in the form of interviewing designers and secondary research.
For some reason I seem to be struggling with my chapter structure, perhaps I need a specific title question. I will try to sort this out tomorrow with a clear head.
Action Plan
I will learn the detailed rules of typography by spending some time in the library reading books and articles on the subject.
Interview designers/ typographers to find out their views on what makes a good or bad typeface, and find out what their favorite and worse typefaces are and why; which ones they frequently use and which they would avoid.
Interview normal people to find out how much they know about typography and compare their favorite and worse typefaces to those of graphic designers.
Contact Font Shop to see what are the most popular selling typefaces.
Watch the film documentary: Helvetica to learn why is it such a well used typeface, and to learn critics views of it.
Investigate how Hoefler and Frere-Jones created their typeface Gotham as it is based on a similar principle.
Visit Walworth Road, London and take photographs to get visual evidence of bad typography used in the environment.
Take photographs of the typography displayed in New York so I can compare the characteristics of the typefaces between two cities.
Collate my images of bad typography and use my enhanced knowledge to create a suitable typeface for amateurs to use from the bad letterforms.
Bibliography
Films
Helvetica (2007) Produced and Directed by Gary Hustwit. London: Plexi Productions under the license of Swiss Dots in association with Veer. [Video: DVD].
Imagine: Helvetica (2007) Directed by Gary Hustwit. London: BBC1 [Video Recording]
Books
Pao, I and Berger, J. (2006) 30 Essential Typeface of a Lifetime. Taiwan: Long Sea International Book Co. Ltd.
Jury, D. (2002) About face: reviving the rules of typography. Miles: RotoVision
Articles
Rawsthom, A. (2007) Helvetica: The little typeface that leaves a big mark. The New York Times: Style, 1st April. Anon.
Websites
Molinaro, R. (2009) Abused Typefaces. [Internet]. Available from
Anon. (2008) Gotham: Barack Obama's favorite font. [Internet]. Available from
Hoefler and Frere-Jones. (Anon) Gotham: An American Vernacular. [Internet]. Available from
I think you need to steer clear from naming certain fonts as good or bad, “Then there are the many designs which abuse typography simply by using bad typefaces,” and “This report will investigate what makes a good or bad typeface.” I think what would make your report more interesting is if you remain neutral on typefaces and maintain your stance that certain fonts are overused and abused by people who don’t know better or who don’t think more carefully in choosing. There’s no such thing as a ‘bad’ typeface’ only bad use of type.
ReplyDeleteI think you need to decide on a focus – overused or abused. I think abused is better as it could include overuse.
I think you need to decide who this is aimed at – people who do, or people who don’t know about type.
If it’s the first, people who do know about type, you don’t need to go too deep into the rules of typography – I think we can presume that the people you are aiming this report at – know a little about the rules. You could provide a bullet point list as an info graphic of the top ten rules/convention.
If it’s aimed at people who don’t know about type – then the whole report could be an attempt to get them to see the error of their ways and to educate them to use type better by remembering some simple do’s and don’ts.
Your different chapters could be examples of type abused – explain what’s wrong, include an industry quote why it’s wrong and then maybe you do a redesign to put things right and show the readers how the abused can be avoided.
To add to your research you could walk down the Walworth Road, as you state, and take pictures of collect the vernacular and abused type or collect take away menus or other examples of graphic design produced by non-designers. You could show these to professional designer and get their reaction. This should be your main research.
Whilst the Helvetica film is important – don’t become too distracted by it – its goal is not really the same as yours. Same as the visit to NY – maybe collect abused type from there to compare to the London examples.
I think your best research will come from gathering examples and showing them to designers and finding the rules in books.
Hope that helps.
drn