2016 Topic 21: Typography,Fonts and Quotes
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| Naboko |
Well hello everyone, Darcy here with a new topic, this time we are exploring Typography, Fonts and Quotes. This is a huge, gigantic topic as there is almost an unlimited supply of fonts, especially if you take into account your own handwriting.
Written communication with letters and symbols began around 5000 years ago, this development enabled various cultures to record their own histories, laws, stories, experiments and advancements. Within around 500 years we were moving from tablets of clay to papyrus. Not only did this speed up the process it also meant that letters and symbols shifted from being very angular (carved) to a rounder style (brush and ink). Around this time the scribes also began to change from a top down system to a left to right system.
The rise of the Roman empire enabled formal lettering styles to spread across Europe, and by 400 AD this was an everyday style used in transactions and bookkeeping. As more people used written correspondence the writing style became looser, letters began to flow together and we saw the beginnings of lowercase.
Of course all regions and religions also had their own style of writing. The ones we are most familiar with are the Celtic styles that we see in Illuminated manuscripts. These began very formally over a 1 inch grid, over time this decreased to a 1/2 inch system, the letters became more and more rounded and spacing became more regular which improved readability.
By the 1400's the movable type press was in use and we saw printed material being commonplace, over time, and with the introduction of copperplate engraving, the fonts used became more delicate with many flourishes being added.
Interestingly the printed word encouraged a loop back to hand written documents. Handwriting masters began to appear, and their services were in high demand. Having elegant handwriting became a status symbol.
Nowadays, handwriting in everyday use is no longer valued as much, now that we can have printed words at the touch of a few buttons. The love of typography and especially fonts has not diminished though, in fact it is increasing, especially when used in creative ways.
When you choose a font or quote, there are a few things to consider. Firstly of course you may have favourite fonts, but then there are the considerations of size, spacing, style and general appearance.
Just like you deliberate over colours and images your addition of text should be an integral part of your design, never an afterthought. Text can be supporting, enhancing or distracting, it can be in the background or a focal point. Making even small changes to which font or size that you use can hugely effect the overall appearance or impact of your project.
Of course you could work in a more intuitive way like Tracy Scott and just go for it.
Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 20: Squares and Grids Challenge...
What a great challenge, it really opened us up to seeing all the squares and grids that are around us. The pieces you submitted were wonderfully varied with lots of textures being added and a good mix of regular and abstract. Lovely to see our latest stamps from Elena making appearances too.
What a great challenge, it really opened us up to seeing all the squares and grids that are around us. The pieces you submitted were wonderfully varied with lots of textures being added and a good mix of regular and abstract. Lovely to see our latest stamps from Elena making appearances too.
The winner of Squares and Grids is: Sue from Sue the Iron
Email Darcy to claim your prize. Darcydotneedles@gmail.com
Written communication with letters and symbols began around 5000 years ago, this development enabled various cultures to record their own histories, laws, stories, experiments and advancements. Within around 500 years we were moving from tablets of clay to papyrus. Not only did this speed up the process it also meant that letters and symbols shifted from being very angular (carved) to a rounder style (brush and ink). Around this time the scribes also began to change from a top down system to a left to right system.
The rise of the Roman empire enabled formal lettering styles to spread across Europe, and by 400 AD this was an everyday style used in transactions and bookkeeping. As more people used written correspondence the writing style became looser, letters began to flow together and we saw the beginnings of lowercase.
Of course all regions and religions also had their own style of writing. The ones we are most familiar with are the Celtic styles that we see in Illuminated manuscripts. These began very formally over a 1 inch grid, over time this decreased to a 1/2 inch system, the letters became more and more rounded and spacing became more regular which improved readability.
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| Benjamin Harff |
Interestingly the printed word encouraged a loop back to hand written documents. Handwriting masters began to appear, and their services were in high demand. Having elegant handwriting became a status symbol.
Nowadays, handwriting in everyday use is no longer valued as much, now that we can have printed words at the touch of a few buttons. The love of typography and especially fonts has not diminished though, in fact it is increasing, especially when used in creative ways.
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| Anahi Decanio |
Just like you deliberate over colours and images your addition of text should be an integral part of your design, never an afterthought. Text can be supporting, enhancing or distracting, it can be in the background or a focal point. Making even small changes to which font or size that you use can hugely effect the overall appearance or impact of your project.
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| Scrap Art Studio |
Fonts and quotes can be found everywhere, we are surrounded by them Inspiration is not lacking. Look to magazines or free leaflets for background material like this piece.
Never underestimate your own handwriting though, you can learn some amazing lettering techniques.
Here is a great video from Shayda Campbell to get you started, but do check out her channel as she has lots of lettering videos.
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| Pixel Fantasy |
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| Valerie Sjodin |
Once you have practiced styles and placement you can add amazing text to all your work.
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| Sam Cannon |
It is worth while searching for quotes that really speak to you, Pinterest is a great place to look as is The Quote Garden. Why not decorate a notebook and fill it with just your favourite quotes.
Another source is your own bookcase. Quotes from children's books always make me smile, they tend to be full of innocence and nostalgia.
As for ways to use all fonts and quotes available, how about this fabulous staircase.
This would be easy to replicate with Fresco paint and stencils. I really like the mix of upper and lower case plus numbers.
Song lyrics are also a great source of wordery, this beautiful piece is made using Bob Marley lyrics.note how the different fonts and sizes are used to suggest shape and direction. Something else that is making this have such impact is that the piece is on a black background.
Here Jose Naranja makes notes in his journal while he reads a book, Anna Karenina. the end result is a mind map of sorts. At first glance it looks jumbled and chaotic, but look closer and each character is written beautifully, the colours, style, sizes are considered and make for a lovely journal page.
Don't assume your use of words needs to be flat, why not think about how you can add texture and dimension. This stitched journal is just lovely, with it's mix of watercolour paint and thread.
More stitching, this time machined words on a water soluble fabric.
This canvas makes great use of different fonts , sizes and placement to suggest the form of the petals.
Another example showing how the font and size choice can enhance the design.
A great example here how the size of the text compliments the artwork, it does not overwhelm. The coloured letters add a childlike quality and the quote itself is completely in keeping with the sentiment of the image.
Remember to mix up your fonts and sizes to add interest.
Take this next two weeks to show us your favourite quotes. Try out different fonts on your computer, search for free fonts, there are thousands available, see what you can find. Work on some hand lettering, how can you change it up? Whatever you do, have fun and share your projects with us as we love to see them.
Don't forget to follow Darcy and Leandra's Pinterest boards if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples to whet your appetite there!
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| HouseofTurquoise |
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| Cris Wicks |
Don't assume your use of words needs to be flat, why not think about how you can add texture and dimension. This stitched journal is just lovely, with it's mix of watercolour paint and thread.
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| Danielle Sayer |
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| Maria Wigley |
Another example showing how the font and size choice can enhance the design.
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| Glen Wolk |
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| Studio Duda |
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| Gina |
Take this next two weeks to show us your favourite quotes. Try out different fonts on your computer, search for free fonts, there are thousands available, see what you can find. Work on some hand lettering, how can you change it up? Whatever you do, have fun and share your projects with us as we love to see them.
I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!
Darcy
We'd love you to share your ideas and link up your creative response to our current blog topic. Take a minute to read the challenge guidelines below.
All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Typography,Fonts and Quotes link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 13th November, the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.
1. The challenge is a for you to show how you are inspired by the current blog topic.
Your entry should contain:
- a mention of which post inspired you and why, and
- a link in your blog post to that original post on the PA blog.
The whole concept of this challenge is 'play along with us'. You are encouraged to put your own twist on ideas you see on our blog, do your own thing - whatever grabs you!
2. The link you put on our linky page must lead directly to the specific post on your blog where you have explored the technique/ idea mentioned in point 1 above. Don't link to the home page of your blog.
3. We prefer your challenge blog post is created exclusive to our challenge, but if our topic fits perfectly with another challenge, then you may link to both if appropriate.
4. You are most welcome to use stamps/ products/ substrates you have to hand from a variety of companies, we do not expect you to exclusively use PA products - it's lovely when you do though!
6. You can enter as many times as you like. We don't want to restrict your creativity!
NB. Link closes at 17:00 Sunday 13th November (London Time)
7. The winner of the random draw will receive a £50 credit voucher to be redeemed on the PaperArtsy Website. The credit voucher includes VAT and postage. We request that one of your purchases is an A5 rubber stamp. You can add any other items to your basket, but the final total should not exceed £50.
8. Each fortnight on Sunday, the winner will be announced at 19:00 (London time). In the same post, the link for the next fortnight will be posted.
9. It's your responsibility to claim your prize coupon from Darcy.
email: darcydotneedles@gmail.com
Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Fabulous topic (still not got a printer to play with fonts!) looking forward to this
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sue! I am loving this topic! So enjoyed reading the post. Bucket loads of inspiration! xxx
ReplyDeleteawesome topic and so very well done sue - woohoo xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, and what a great theme this week! xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations sue! What a great intro!
ReplyDeleteLucy x
I need to get myself in gear and start crafting again!
ReplyDeleteFabulous topic!
ReplyDeleteLike Helen - I don't have a printer...but I've certainly got lots of different stamps!
Congrats to Sue. Great topic! Xx
ReplyDeleteI hate my handwriting and messing about on computers and printers but....I love script stamps and have loads. Wonderful topic!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your win Sue.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
Congratulations Sue, fascinating challenge, looking forward to the next 2 weeks!!
ReplyDeleteGreat challenge & as always, the inspiration images are amazing. Congrats to Sue!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sue! Wonderful topic. xx
ReplyDelete