Scripts and Slab Serifs

I used to feel like good design had to have a sans-serif or better yet, a condensed, bold sans-serif. It looked modern, clean but also strong and filled up the page with a lovely dark element to contrast the white space. Now, the wonderful trend has been towards a small touch of a script typeface in combination with a slab-serif. Sometimes they are used together and sometimes individually, but either way, the design trend is refreshing.

Script typefaces (I happen to be a sucker for anything hand-drawn as well) can be sophisticated, modern, smooth and adds a touch of individuality to a design.







Script typefaces also remind modern designs of something traditional which I love to see as a designer. As technology becomes more and more prevalent, these small touches of curves and flourishes keep the communication pieces special and more targeted in their approach.









Slab-serifs have a completely different feel. They are stronger, bolder and offer a lot of structure to a design. They also are great to use to stack and line up elements. The right ones can have a very indie vibe to them and seem to work in combination with script and light typefaces. Overall, they are a versatile choice for an identity design or headline.











One thing is for certain, typefaces go through trends and the minute you pick up on one, another one becomes popular. Scripts and slab-serifs are very popular now, but in my design heart, they will always have their perfect use and place in the right communication piece.

Branding Beyond the Business Card

While researching new designs, I love to see examples of branding used on materials besides the business card and letterhead. Especially when it can be used on packaging, on a large scale or in interior spaces, the identity can really come to life. The branding can incorporate more illustration, typography and overlapping of information.

I also studied architecture at one point and so am very interested in logos and branding being used to enhance an exterior or interior space. From corporate office to trendy restaurant, the vibrant use of a company's brand can make the character unique and reach more people. It is the challenge and great joy of the designer to understand the needs and audience of a brand outside of just the logo. Here are some collected examples that I have found of identity developed outside of the usual print materials.

New Typography and Illustration Treasures

Last weekend, I went about an hour south of Minneapolis to Oronoco to attend Gold Rush Days. It was a huge flea market in the center of the town with items ranging from antique furniture, toys, clothes, jewelry to tin packaging and lawn ornaments. It was an amazing experience not only to just wander and take some unique photographs, but also to seek out some great keepsakes.

For $1 a piece, I landed two booklets with some beautiful typography examples that I could not pass up. One was a Kerr booklet with recipes for canning from the 1950s and a Palmer Handwriting book from the late 19th century.

They also had some wonderful, vintage photography and illustrations. Here are some samples from the booklets.
















So often my students ask where I find my examples or inspiration for design projects. My answer is always to just keep your eyes open all the time. Pull examples from places that are not familiar or where you might not think. Good typography and references for future work is all over the place if you take the time to look carefully and do not pass by things that may seem ordinary at first glance. You may use the style later on for a design that you are stuck on. Magazines and websites have a lot of good references but sometimes the most authentic and textured are ones that have a real world use.