I love typefaces the same way hardcore fans love rockstars; the whole doesn’t necessarily make sense, and the interest extends far beyond any contribution to society made by the object of lust.
Still, you don’t have to be smart to be in love, so when I saw this Periodic Table of Typefaces on the Behance portfolio site, I was smitten (click here for an even bigger version).
The Periodic Table of Typefaces (See any old friends?)
I drank in the appearance of a couple old friends: Palatino, Stone, Helvetica, Futura (parent font to Underground Fave Futura Extra Bold Condensed – a high-powered, hard-hitting display type favored by what was loosely known as the “Minnesota School” of advertisers, who won award after award in the 1980s).
If it’s one thing the first two decades of the Internet have cost us, it’s the beauty of type (the short list of “Internet safe” typefaces doesn’t allow much room for expression). I’m all for minimalist communication – words and images shorn of all the barriers to communication – but know how much atmosphere (or meaning, or context) the right typeface can add to piece of copy.
If the universe is just, we’ll one day enjoy “font freedom” on the Internet.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
Tom,
Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
I feel your pain. While I don’t share the same love for fonts, I do have a particular affinity for paper of all kinds. Also scorned by the Internet. And environmental concerns have made paper not very PC.
Casey
Casey Hibbard(Quote) (Reply)
Yeah, I still invent reasons to write stuff down with a fountain pen, and in fact, I’ve abandoned all the online task lists in favor of simple paper lists, which are faster and easier for me.
Tom Chandler(Quote) (Reply)
Thanks for the great write-up Tom! I’m glad you enjoyed it. There are further developments in the works for the design with all the attention it received (totally surprising by the way). Keep checking the original post at Behance over the next few days. Hopefully I’ll have something going on then.
Cam(Quote) (Reply)
Whatever it is, it better include Futura XBold Condensed – the Mother of all display faces. Just saying is all.
Tom Chandler(Quote) (Reply)
Hey we just got permission from the designer Camdon Wilde to produce this as a wall decal. You can check it out here: http://www.scribbleoneverything.com/typefaces/prod_108.html Don’t you just love sharing.
Ain’t sharing grand!
Scribble on Walls(Quote) (Reply)
Ahh, e-commerce: The Leafy Green Music of the Spheres, Intertubes style….
Tom Chandler(Quote) (Reply)
Ha ha, you anorak! Like it! Would love to see Microgamma ( a 1967 favourite) in there …
On the Money(Quote) (Reply)
Futura X-bold Condensed kicks Microgamma’s butt. Just saying.
Tom Chandler(Quote) (Reply)
… Spotted your typo … You meant “kisses” Microgamma’s butt … You are forgiven …
On the Money(Quote) (Reply)
Hey there is a new version of this print at Scribble on Everything. Its on black paper with a metallic silver ink.
http://www.scribbleoneverything.com/prints/misc/black-periodic-table-typefaces-poster/prod_180.html
Jon Bybee(Quote) (Reply)