Part 4: Research - Sample books and inspiring typography

These are some interesting examples I came across while searching for inspiration and material for my visual diary.

A fantastic quotation written in a very beautiful typeface. It looks like a some form of calligraphy especially when I look at the letter "S" and its spine. It is very interesting with those crossbar on "H", E, F, tail on "R" and specific triangular "A". Letter "U" from the word "GENIUS" is not in proportion with other characters which creates visual dynamic that make the image even more interesting and  bold. I love the richness achieved using limited color palette which is proof that good use of typography doesn't need extra elements to make it shine. This a simple and modern artwork.

Another modern design which uses limited colour palette. Background is brown (a delicious chocolate shade) with pale dots and works great as a subordinate colour because it is a kind of neutral shade which is pleasant for eyes. A soft yellow, white and soft pink works great as a contrasting colours and make typography design pop out. As for the typography, I like the combination of modern sans serif and modern elegant script. It is blended very well creating at the same time unity and diversity.

What else to say?:) Milton Glaser's quotation is good enough to stand alone but if you wear it in proper typography design that would makes it even more powerful. A great designer, a perspicacious mind, with his ironic and critical approach to the the world and society. Again use of limited colour palette gave good result because typography works great in combination of script type and sans serif. If I look only colour combination I must say that I am not so mesmerized with this shade of blue but the whole typography design is strong and modern that it doesn't affect my overall impression. This belongs to classic modern typography design, which is clean, simple and represents good safe solution.

This is one interesting example which reminds me on Stephan Seigmaster's work that I have already wrote about. I like the idea and how it looks like it was made of real fur (which might be true). I am often not sure about the effects that designers use in their work. In this particular case I am wondering if this is a Photoshop effect or hand craft with real hair. Probably it represents the combination of both. Anyway this is very interesting typography design. 

Origami as an art skill is something I am fascinated about. Japanese developed it to the level of real sculptures and some examples are truly breathtaking. I love the idea how origami works here for typography. This is so unique and fresh, completely different from everything else.

The example above shows diversity in creating alphabet characters. Every letter is made in different way, combining different strokes, patterns, shapes, and each has it own visual appealing but they as well work very well together creating interesting artwork. I could frame it and put on my wall as a picture.

I could describe this typography design as a combination of  modern serif typeface with ornate elements which give them that ornate appearance. I love that Art Nouveau touch although lately it became  such widespread trend that it almost turned to cliche. Designers started to overuse it and see it everyday everywhere as a form of decoration. This particular design is something different and I like it.

This is an interesting design that grabbed my attention immediately. Letter "O" and descender on "V" as a donuts work great with strong black letters that have modern touch.

Another simple and interesting design made of modern black letters and one small detail which wasn't so notable at the first sight. It is a little leaf which is formed by negative space of the letter "h".

Another combination of modern typeface and ornate elements which shows how diversity can be blended very well and works as a unity. 

Despite the fact this is not the most legible example, I have chosen it for its interesting appearance. Characters look like they are made of some ribbons and they even remind me on leeches.It could be used as a logo of some rock band because it creates that specific feel.

This design is probably based on calligraphy using ornaments which contributes to its whimsical appearance. I like it because it is specific and represents beautiful work of art. Again I could relate it to the music, it resembles a violin key. 

I must say that I am not so mesmerized with choice of colors but I do like the typeface which is obviously created using brush and this requires skilled and loose hand. 

I fell in love with those birds, they look amazing. From the shape of the birds to the typography and its additional ornate elements. Everything is so well blended and it looks so interesting and inspiring.

This artwork comprises different typography styles along with different visual elements such as old gramophone and block but it all together works well. It takes experience and strong feel for aesthetics when combining different font styles because it can easy lead to clutter and mess. This is an example of rich diversity but it goes in one direction and therefore looks good having that old sense.

The letters that instantly convey massage by its visual appearance. Blood, muscles, veins: they are all part of a body and life and life mans float.

Smoke from the coffee carries smell and tingles our senses. The word "hmmmm" which along with smoke leaves a cup of coffe forms one big letter "C". When I first looked this artwork it seemed to me as a good idea but now I think it could have been better realised. 3D effect of the script is too strong, I have a feeling like it was made of metal and it looks a little kitschy with all those elements in one letter.

I like this design, it has nice and funny illustration of a photograph along with different scripts which are at my opinion created using calligraphy instruments, brushes and pen and make good visual dynamic using overlapping words in different calmed colors. The artists even used blackletter  typeface in order to point on adventurous research that photographers do.

My mother went to Prague and brought me a box of candies so I saved front side of the box for this blackletter typeface. German infuence is obvious trough gothic architecture of the city so the typography on the candy box don't diverge as well.

Thanks to my grandfather who among others was interested in typography (vernicular one) I came in possession of some old letraset. I still remmeber how I played with it when I was a child. I haven't used them yet, I will save it for some future work. As computer technology became dominant, it is almost impossible to find letraset in stores. These are old more than 20 years and turned yellow.