What’s Your Type?
I really think all signs are pointing to me learning letterpress one of these days. Last weekend I mentioned the Artsy day and finding out about letterpress workshops, and today we went and saw the documentary Typeface.
The film traces the history of the The Hamilton Wood Type Museum in rural Two Rivers, Wisconsin. With 1.5 million pieces of wood type and more than 1,000 styles and sizes of patterns, Hamilton’s collection is one of the premier wood type collections in the world. Can you imagine running around in there opening all those little drawers and finding just the right “B” or “T” or whatever you want? How exciting.
I guess what I liked so much about the film is the idea of how important this art is. Yes, you can do so much with computers and so much faster, etc. but there is something to be said for actually getting your hands dirty to produce something.
Anyway, I highly recommend watching this film if it comes to your area. Another excellent film about typeface is Helvetica. Seriously, it will make you look at type in a new way and next time you pick up a book to read I bet you, you’ll check the colophon to see what typeface was used.
Now for something fun, did you know you have a typeface? Yes, take the quiz and see which one you are!
Melody http://mel-reading-corner.blogspot.com/
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 amI took the quiz and I’m a Helvetica!
Sandy http://sandynawrot.blogspot.com
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pmI’m Edwardian…not sure why but there you go! I had heard that documentary was really good. It’s on my Netflix list!
vivienne http://serendipityteacher.blogspot.com/
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:56 pmI am Edwardian too.
jenclair http://bookgarden.blogspot.com/
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:55 pmHelvetica…maybe I need to spice things up a little.
Stefanie http://somanybooksblog.com
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:25 pmThat was a fun quiz! I’m Helvetica and since I’ve seen the film, I don’t think that’s boring at all
Kathleen http://boardinginmyforties.blogspot.com
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:56 pmFun…I’m Edwardian Script…surprising but true. I worked with a graphic designer who was obsessed with type. He gave me the coolest gift for Christmas one year…my name in pieces of type in a cool box! The movies sound great and I will look for them when they come my way. Being in Marketing and working for years in Advertising, I can appreciate type!
Joy http://librarylady64.blogspot.com/
November 24th, 2009 at 2:17 amGreat blog, love the layout and links page. Have a great week!
Lexi http://amazingadulthoodofalexis.blogspot.com
November 24th, 2009 at 2:35 amI was Impact. It’s true…I do spend too much time in front of the computer!
Kathleen http://boardinginmyforties.blogspot.com
November 24th, 2009 at 2:50 amHi Iliana, I just gave you an award at http://boardinginmyforties.blogspot.com
Isabel http://booksandotherstuff.blogspot.com
November 24th, 2009 at 4:58 amI’m the snobby Times Roman, but it kinds fits!
Check out this letterpress site:
http://fitzgeraldletterpress.com/Site/links.html
Maybe Fitzgerald gives classes.
Jacki http://www.lovelylittleshelf.com
November 24th, 2009 at 12:27 pmHelvetica here.
I watched the movie Helvetica and loved it. My husband is a designer and he is strangely in love with type. I’ll have to let him know about this movie…
Matthew http://mattviews.wordpress.com
November 24th, 2009 at 7:54 pmI knew it…I’m Helvetica the industrial classics! I am too predictable.
andi http://estellasrevenge.blogspot.com
November 24th, 2009 at 11:15 pmCool! I haven’t heard of this, but it sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the rec!
Bookgirl http://www.bookgirl.net
November 25th, 2009 at 1:13 amMelody – Me too!
Hope you enjoy the film – very cool.
Sandy – Oh look at you being all fancy
vivienne – Oh another one
jenclair – that’s what I was thinking too! ha
Stefanie – That’s a very good point. I mean, that film rocked and it was about a font! Loved it.
Kathleen – How cool! Yea, definitely try to check out the movie if you can! Oh and thank you so much for the award. I’m so behind on my blog visiting – just crazy over here but I promise to visit soon!
Joy – Thank you bunches! Although you reminded me I need to update my links page
Lexi – Too funny! I need to see what all the types are. I’m curious.
Isabel – You crack me up girl. Thank you for the fitzgerald press. I’ll keep you posted on what I find.
Jacki – My husband is a designer too so that’s how I got “involved” with typography
Matt – Nah, you are just a classic
andi – you’ll love it!
christine http://snapshotsunmade.typepad.com
November 26th, 2009 at 10:17 pmI love type and the art of typography! The movie Helvetica was really interesting so I like the idea of watching Typeface.
I was courier – anything is better than being known as conventional! hahaha.