The Reputation of a Typeface

penstaar · Fresh-faced recruit Joined: Feb 18, 2005 Posts: 1

Hi

As new design student I’m wondering, as I tackle my assignment here, about the reputation that a certain typeface may have. Since I’m fairly ignorant I could use a display type that is associated with something else already and I wouldn’t know the difference.

For example, my assignment is to create a poster for an event with Rick Valicenti and to choose any display typeface I see fit.

Scrolling through my sad little list of typefaces, Chicago looks interesting, with a bit of a technology feel...

But is there a way for me to know if using this font somehow contradicts the subject (Rick Valicenti). Where has this typeface been used before? Is it already associated with something like an especially well known campaign / logo / product?

... wait a second, it just dawned on me that this font was used in older Mac OS... (ha ha ha, how apropos)

Anyway, what kind of research would any of you do before you selected a display typeface for a design. I guess that is what I am asking.

Thanks!

TeCetera · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:11 pm Post subject:

Welcome to Graphics.com Penstaar.

Okay here's my take on this. What is your subject matter? Tech, music, or in this case what field is Rick Valicenti associated with, and then pick your typeface based on that.

For example. Classical music - for Mozart I might choose a "fussy" font - a script type with florishes as an example.

For Bach however I'd probably go for a sans serif font family with many weights that harmonize well.

For a techno group I'd go for a sans serif font with a very mondern feel.

My two cents others mileage may vary.

Good luck. I suspect Chinablue and possibly Eyehawk will chime in on this one as well.
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1olddawg · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 5:43 am Post subject:

If you are talking about Rick Valicenti, who in 1981 started a graphic design business and went on to become one of Chicagos best known designers/also founded a font business...
I would simply type his name into google/yahoo/ ask jeeves, go to the numerous sites showing some of his work and pick something that he's designed and then find a similar font at one of the free font sites.
[many listed throughout other threads] in Type and Typeography.
Hope this helps. We try to help any way we can-unfortunately when it comes to homework assignments I think your instructor wants it to be your artistic feel that makes the final decision. With the huge variations in his font and graphic design I doubt if you could pick a "Wrong Font" for this creative genius.[/i]
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Eyehawk · Avoiding real work Joined: Feb 09, 2005 Posts: 35

I agree with 1olddawg. I just took a look at RV's designs, and they are very well done. Check them out.

Then again, you might decide to go in a different direction by picking fonts that represent, in your mind, who the man is. Fonts are used over and over again, so you would hardly be getting into trouble by using something someone else has used. The main objective is to be creative. So let the juices flow.

Good luck!

Eyehawk · Avoiding real work Joined: Feb 09, 2005 Posts: 35

I should add that, as a beginning artist, you should start building your font library up right away. When you go to the free sights, grab your favorites and drop them into your font folder. But, be sure you save and read the text messages that often accompany these fonts. There are restrictions on some of them, even if it is a simply request that you let them know how you used their font in your work. The most severe restrictions involve money, but not normally that much.

Build your library, and print a paper catalog of all your fonts. It will be the greatest reference aid that you can give yourself as an artist. You will find that fonts are possibly the most important tool you have to work with. Learn to love them. Fonts are pieces of artwork within themselves.