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!
I took the quiz and I’m a Helvetica!
I’m Edwardian…not sure why but there you go! I had heard that documentary was really good. It’s on my Netflix list!
I am Edwardian too.
Helvetica…maybe I need to spice things up a little.
That was a fun quiz! I’m Helvetica and since I’ve seen the film, I don’t think that’s boring at all 🙂
Fun…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!
Great blog, love the layout and links page. Have a great week!
I was Impact. It’s true…I do spend too much time in front of the computer!
Hi Iliana, I just gave you an award at http://boardinginmyforties.blogspot.com
I’m the snobby Times Roman, but it kinds fits!
Check out this letterpress site:
http://fitzgeraldletterpress.com/Site/links.html
Maybe Fitzgerald gives classes.
Helvetica 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…
I knew it…I’m Helvetica the industrial classics! I am too predictable.
Cool! I haven’t heard of this, but it sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the rec!
Melody – Me too!
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 🙂 Hope you enjoy the film – very cool.
Matt – Nah, you are just a classic 🙂
andi – you’ll love it!
I 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.