Blog: Typography

More stamps


Loving stamps at the minute, especially the Czech ones. These little beauties are from 1974 - you just can't beat big numbers and simple graphics!

Tue 07 Oct 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Inspiration , stamps

3 Comments

MAD branding in NY



Pentagram have designed the new identity for the Museum of Arts and Design (formerly the American Craft Museum) in New York which has just re-opened in its new location at 2 Columbus Circle.

The MAD graphic is from a typeface created specifically for the Museum, based on the geometric shapes of the building and its environment, “the circles and squares present in the building’s shape; its location, on Columbus Circle; and the building’s iconic “lollipop” columns retained in the redesign”.

The MAD monogram is simple and fun, it looks modern and at the same time reminds me of the pattern and illustration found in arts and crafts, which is where the origins of the Museum lie. The bold shapes of the letters look great on the advertising and promotional material because they stand out, not only due to the density of the letters, but also because of the bright colours on black backgrounds.

It’s refreshing to see a creative identity, one that has reason behind it and has been created through good research. I’m not saying that taking the counters out of letters hasn’t been done before, but in this case it works and creates an identity system that is versatile and can be manipulated to work in any way the Museum requires.

You can read more about the development of the MAD branding here and find out more about MAD here.

Images copyright Pentagram.
Via Aisle One.

Wed 01 Oct 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Inspiration

3 Comments

Free Ephemera!





I like to visit a carboot sale at the weekend, but on Saturday I overslept and arrived quite late. It turns out though, that some of the stall holders, don't like to take anything away with them and towards the end of the sale they give everything away! Imagine my delight when one of those stalls had loads of ephemera tucked away in the bottom of the boxes - good job I had a spare bag to hand!

Above is a selection of the travel related items, I think from the mid 70's judging by some of the other paperwork. There was also quite a few old photos, photo wallets, the odd flight ticket, maps, a fuel ration book and various tickets for events throughout the 50's and 60's. I'm sure you will see it all soon enough.

Wed 24 Sep 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Ephemera

2 Comments

Logos, graphics and trademarks













These fabulous graphics are taken from 3 scrapbooks of labels, logos and trademarks, photocopied many years ago by my good friend Mike, who in turn allowed me to get a copy. I treasure them, they are such a vast and varied collection they make fantastic reference material and each time I look through them I still see something new.

So, thank you Mike, they are invaluable!

Tue 16 Sep 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Delicious things

2 Comments

We heart infographics





I picked up a copy of the International Designers Network (Vol.15 No.4) at the weekend and it's a great issue with a really good article on infographics (Signs of the Times) featuring 10 designers who specialise in this area, enjoying the challenge, and ultimately, the satisfaction in this type of design; Catalogtree, Dave Bowker, Nicholas Felton, Lamosca, Number27, Plusminus, Polar, SPVZ, Timm Kekeritz and Troikart.

It's not a publication I normally buy, but I will definitely be seeking it out again. The print quality is really good - this issue has a matt laminate, spot varnish and a foil on the cover which is extravagant, but looks good. Inside it uses a few different kinds of paper which gives it a really nice feel, has fold out pages to accomodate some of the larger infographics and is packed with interesting and up-to-date content. To top it all, the design throughout is great, not all to my taste, but interesting, experimental and relevant to the content. Oh, and this issue came with a free DVD of goodies including, the Diesel 'Liquid' Fashion Show and some behind the scenes footage of Bjork's Wonderlust video.

Mon 08 Sep 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Inspiration

0 Comments

Public Lettering in Central London



Public Lettering: A walk in Central London is a website outlining a walk around Central London taking in large examples of public lettering as prepared by Phil Baines for the ATypI Conference in 1997.

The site pinpoints key buildings (ie. ones containing lettering of note) like the British Library, The Coliseum and Parsons' Library, gives a brief history and shows detailed pics (as shown above). It does not mention, what it calls. 'incidentals' en route, such as stop-cocks, manhole covers, building dates or builders marks, nor does it mention corporate signage or advertising hoarding, as, "the pleasure of this kind of walk, is finding things yourself".

What a brilliant reference for public signage and lettering - I love the idea of taking in a walk with such rich typographic interest. It's a great idea and something I would like to do in other cities too.

Images copyright Phil Baines, 1997, 2002.

Sat 06 Sep 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , signage , Architecture

0 Comments

Auto Type

Make, model & engine size badges on classic cars always have great typography. I've been photographing them for a while now, and though it was about time they had post. Enjoy...































Tue 26 Aug 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Found typography , automobilia

5 Comments

Paul Rand: A Tribute



How good was Paul Rand! This tribute is a nice little reminder of his work and his design philosophy. If this has got you yearning to see more check out the Paul Rand website which is packed full of all his work; identities, advertising, posters and books etc... as well as an extensive biography, lots of interviews and articles and some of his best quotes/philosophies;

"Simplicity is not the goal. It is the by-product of a good idea and modest expectations".

For those of you stateside, you lucky people are going to have the opportunity to see this iconic design in the flesh at the 'Paul Rand: Modernist Design in Context' exhibition, October 16 - December 13 2008, in the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The exhibition curator is Franc Nunoo-Quarcoo, author of 'Paul Rand: Modernist Design' and Professor & Chair of Visual Arts at UMBC. Somebody please bring it to the UK, pretty please!!

I couldn't let this post go, without posting some of his amazing work...



Tribute created by J Neeley, found on Rubbishcorp.
Images copyright Paul Rand.

Thu 21 Aug 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Inspiration , Exhibition

0 Comments

Intrastate Commerce



'Intrastate Commerce' is a great Flickr set from Society in Decline that has pages of roadside signs from across America. It's fantastic reference, but there are so many, it takes a while to click through them all!

Via The Serif.

Tue 19 Aug 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , signage

0 Comments

From the reference box #19


I'm not exactly sure what this is - I think it's a sales tag that would have been attached to purchased typewriters, but I love the 'Low's' type it's great. The red disc is weighted and engraved on it's metal centre with, '3 in 1 velus quality. The world over. Made in England. N0.100' on both sides. There is a postage stamp on the reverse with a date of 15.06.35 so I'm guessing it originates around that time.

So, #19 - Typewriter sales tag. Circa 1935.

Mon 18 Aug 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Ephemera , Reference box

3 Comments

Wall Letters


These metal letters from Urban Outfitters are fantastic. They are quite large at 6 x 10 x 1" and are available in some cool colours for only $14 each + postage. The have a built-in bracket on the reverse for hanging and the website says they come in different styles, although there is only one style shown.

Now I can find them on the US website, but not on the Uk site?? So maybe they are only available in Uk stores and not online?

You could always have a look in antique shops and on car boot sales to try and find some secondhand signage. Used letters generally have a nice patina which adds character, the only downside is that you can't always get the letters you want in the same style. Here are a couple of mine...

Mon 11 Aug 2008

Posted under: Typography , Things to buy , signage

0 Comments

Eureka Tower Carpark signage



This has to be the best signage I have seen for a long time. It is a way-finding system developed by designer, Axel Peemoeller for Melbourne Carpark, 'Eureka Tower'.

The system works by having giant letters painted on the walls and floor, that appear distorted close up, but when seen from a distance, as you are driving through the carpark, they are perfectly legible. The perspective is carefully calculated to produce the largest, most legible sign from the correct angle.

It reminded me of pavement drawings by Julian Beever I saw a while ago which use perspective and distance in the same way, but in his case to create 3D illusions.



Eureka Tower images copyright Axel Peemoeller
Pavement art images copyright Julian Beever

Tue 05 Aug 2008

Posted under: Typography , Photography , signage , Illustration

2 Comments

Signage Polaroids



These great images are from Doug Wilson's, 'Vernacular Typography Polaroids' Flickr group. It's a huge collection of polaroids taken mainly of handpainted signage throughout the US.

Via Poppy Talk.

Tue 22 Jul 2008

Posted under: Typography , Photography

0 Comments

Found typography #3


I love Hoosier tyres - there is something very appealing about them - the giant type, the white on black and the sheer ballooniness. Come to think of it, most racing tyres sport great type, but these are my favourite.

Mon 21 Jul 2008

Posted under: Typography , Photography

0 Comments

From the reference box #13



Another little bit of ephemera fresh from the reference box are these 'Sorry we missed you' cards from a 1950/60's Dry Cleaners in Leamington Spa. I love the 'vanman' character on the pink one - he really is sad that they're not in!

# 13 - Dry cleaning, calling cards. 1950/60.

Mon 07 Jul 2008

Posted under: Design , Typography , Ephemera , Reference box

0 Comments

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Welcome to the Delicious Industries blog. We're an independent design studio based in Brighton, UK and this is our scrapbook packed full of design, illustration, photography & typography inspiration. Check out our work here.

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