Manifesto

Today we looked at a fonts manifesto. In groups we looked into the history of the fonts Garamond, Caslon, Baskerville, Bodoni, Clarendon, Berthold, Times, Helvetica, Univers and write them a manifesto. My group got Bodoni.

Bodoni

Bodoni designed by Giambattista Bodoni from 1740 to 1813. Taken from the word 'Drdone' meaning modern. This may seem strange now as it seems very traditional and ornate yet at the time was extremely modern the bold graphic consistency and the fact each letter works together and would be easily reproduced. The type was designed as a transitional form between Fournier and Baskerville. During the years the type was designed Italy was invading France and the country was in a period of transition the typeface feels Italian and could have been a statement of new times for italy. I think it is important to conci/der who could read at the time (not many) and the fact the church would have been the main source of  written literature for the country at the time. The high contrast in stroke weight is a recognisable feature of this type design and gives a grand and glamorous feel to the type. The typeface may have been designed for signage and for higher end companies given the large divide in class at the time Bodoni could have been a typographic tool to show a new modern and classy typeface for a company or business. The 'Vita nova da dante'  poem written in 1828 was a extremely popular italian poem of the time and was one of the first wide spread publications to print in Bodoni. The elegant and graphic and bold letterforms echoed italian design and set a bench mark for the future of Italian culture.

We also discussed our ideas for a our own fonts and gave each other some ideas and opinions. I have done a mind map for my adjective that my font is based on which is 'Hollow'. I did some research into different meanings the word has and different things hollow reminds me and other people of. When talking to people they liked the idea of the font having an empty space inside or experimenting with putting a tree into the type. I am thinking of calling my font Hollow Oaks

Idea for a Manifesto

Hollow Oaks is a sans serif font originated from Garamond and made up of gently curved brackets and serifs inspired by the round curves of a tree. Its spooky feel works well in the horror genre and is best used as headings on posters and book covers. The font works best in uppercase as it is intricate and bold.