Fontsmith

During a few travels last year I came across an amazing amount of hand painted lettering in South America.

http://typolondon.com/

I was a bit nervous of speaking at TYPO London, as it has been about 4 years since I stood on a stage and talked type. However I put some images together and talked honestly, and openly about what we do here at Fontsmith. I think I did okay especially when people hang about afterwards to have a chat and say nice things to you. I arrived at work this morning to this lovely e-mail. This is why I do what I do…

“Dear Jason

I was at your talk yesterday at typolondon and I think it was really inspiring, I am not a typographer, I’m studying at Csm and as you probably know we don’t have a proper Typography pathway, but we try to compensate this with TSI and Phil Baines. (and I think that designing typefaces could make my life better, but right now I’m trying to ignore this).

I’m writing to you because I didn’t have the chance to get one of your amazing collection of booklets, one of my friend did, she was sitting in the front row, I arrived late as I was in the other hall, so no more booklets for me. Is there any possibility to have one? I saw it yesterday and I loved it.

Thank you so much for your talk!”

http://www.10yearsintype.com/

Do you know your Helvetica from your Times New Roman? What’s your favourite font and what does it say about your personality? Fontsmith shares some of thoughts with the BBC Breakfast show. Fonts have personality and Jason Smith gets his 15 seconds of fame.

A good friend and travelling salesman recently visited Switzerland. A land known for straight and ordered grids and typography. Wankdorf Switzerland is known for little else than being a funny and juvenile name in English. Personally, when my friend sent me this photo, the first thing I noticed was the sign was set in DIN rather than Helvetica.
Still funny though…

So The Arts Club finally reopens it doors to members on Monday 12th September. After more than a year waiting, at last the refurb is done and I can go and hang out with Gwyneth Paltrow and Thandie Newton et al. With new decor by David d’Almada the venue is sure to be a hit. Speaking of hits, apparently there is also to be a new music venue opening in the basement in October. Being opened by Mark Ronson. I might be turning 40 but I can still bust some moves.
As always I’m interested to see the new cocktail list and more importantly if it is typeset well. Shoddy typography on menus is my pet hate. Comma’s in the wrong place etc. Here is hoping the attention to detail at The Arts Club goes all the way through to the font and menu design.