I guess it’s inevitable... the “obscene typography machine” was bound to rear its ugly head sooner or later. With the ever growing advancement of technology there is bound to be a loss of craft. Remember the industrial revolution in graphic design? New materials were readily available at the fingertips of designers thus creating new possibilities in production. Steel, iron, and steam powered energy created new possibilities. The first ever letter presses were utilized and enabled quicker typographic reproduction. This era of technological advancement brought with it a boom of mass communication. And indirectly, a loss of craft and appreciation for typography and design.
They say that history repeats itself. You’ve heard it a hundred times. It’s corny, I know. But somewhat true. Are we repeating the industrial revolution in graphic design at this moment? Think of it this way: during the industrial revolution there were many new advancements, i.e. steel and iron. These two very important natural materials aided so much in typographic reproduction. Now fast forward about 200 years later and what do you have? the computer. PLAH. I’m starting to dread the medium as a graphic design student. But as a student in this new era of graphic design, the “deconstructivist typography” era if you will, this is probably the main outlet for design. And when used intelligently and thoughtfully, it can be used to create beautiful and highly aesthetic works in graphic design.
But what about all those other people? those people that you might see in Borders or Barnes & Noble latched on to a book with some crazy title like, “Typography for Dummies.” these are the people we designers need to steer clear of. Or better yet, maybe we should be the ones trying to educate them about the proper uses and functions of type. Yes, it is our duty as designers and lovers of the medium to tell Susie do-it-herself about the unwritten “rules” that surround typography. If not for our eyes sake, lets try to do for the sake of Frederic W. Goudy and John Baskerville (as they do somersaults in their graves).
It was only inevitable that the fate of the Industrial Revolution was a loss of craft. Mass production caused an overbearing boom in visual communication. This lead to an apathetic view of design thus creating a disinterest in the medium itself. But with the emergence of figures such as John Ruskin, society started to realize that industrialization and technology had created a separation between artist and visual medium. Thus the arts and crafts movement was born. There was a revival of handicraft and thoutfulness that went into creating not only design, but furniture design, and book design as well. And perhaps with perfect timing, figures like Goudy emerged from this movement.
They say that history repeats itself. Well, then aren’t we about due for another type of arts and crafts movement? I hope so. I am beginning to think that design/typography is heading for a very ugly place. A place where ANYONE can create design. And as we all know, not everyone can be a designer. It takes a special type of person. A person with vision. A person with visual sensitivity. NOT Susie do-it-herslf.
They say that history repeats itself. You’ve heard it a hundred times. It’s corny, I know. But somewhat true. Are we repeating the industrial revolution in graphic design at this moment? Think of it this way: during the industrial revolution there were many new advancements, i.e. steel and iron. These two very important natural materials aided so much in typographic reproduction. Now fast forward about 200 years later and what do you have? the computer. PLAH. I’m starting to dread the medium as a graphic design student. But as a student in this new era of graphic design, the “deconstructivist typography” era if you will, this is probably the main outlet for design. And when used intelligently and thoughtfully, it can be used to create beautiful and highly aesthetic works in graphic design.
But what about all those other people? those people that you might see in Borders or Barnes & Noble latched on to a book with some crazy title like, “Typography for Dummies.” these are the people we designers need to steer clear of. Or better yet, maybe we should be the ones trying to educate them about the proper uses and functions of type. Yes, it is our duty as designers and lovers of the medium to tell Susie do-it-herself about the unwritten “rules” that surround typography. If not for our eyes sake, lets try to do for the sake of Frederic W. Goudy and John Baskerville (as they do somersaults in their graves).
It was only inevitable that the fate of the Industrial Revolution was a loss of craft. Mass production caused an overbearing boom in visual communication. This lead to an apathetic view of design thus creating a disinterest in the medium itself. But with the emergence of figures such as John Ruskin, society started to realize that industrialization and technology had created a separation between artist and visual medium. Thus the arts and crafts movement was born. There was a revival of handicraft and thoutfulness that went into creating not only design, but furniture design, and book design as well. And perhaps with perfect timing, figures like Goudy emerged from this movement.
They say that history repeats itself. Well, then aren’t we about due for another type of arts and crafts movement? I hope so. I am beginning to think that design/typography is heading for a very ugly place. A place where ANYONE can create design. And as we all know, not everyone can be a designer. It takes a special type of person. A person with vision. A person with visual sensitivity. NOT Susie do-it-herslf.
posted by pottybrain at 8:37 AM
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