Rather than picking up a word search or sudoku to pass the time, designers might enjoy Tony Seddon’s new book Draw Your Own Alphabets, Thirty Fonts to Scribble, Sketch and Make Your Own. Although the book comes with brief descriptions of the anatomy of fonts and how to digitize new fonts, this isn’t a crash course in font design. The bulk of the 160 pages offers a variety of handwritten fonts, ranging from playful to structured, paired with a gridded sketch area to draw your own version of each sample. Seddon points out distinguishing characteristics of each font and suggests some natural partners that could be used in design, but again, the instruction is fairly cursory. Fun and stimulating, Draw Your Own Alphabets would be a great workbook to scribble in before bed, get your pencil moving in a moment of creative block, or stick in your carry-on for your next flight.
Final verdict (Buy It, Borrow It, Skip It)? If you’re looking for an alternative to Sudoku or an easy creative exercise, buy it! If you’re interested in learning how to design fonts, skip it.
I ran across Elizabeth Olwen’s pattern designs on Pinterest this week while looking for baby announcement inspiration and fell in love. A few are available on Society6 as art prints, pillows, iphone cases, note cards, and more.
The above is a birth announcement by Dioton with one of Elizabeth’s patterns (only available in French, unfortunately!). The typography is a perfect fit for the pattern.
Who doesn’t love a good picture book? Especially when those pictures are witty, beautiful and inspiring designs from around the world. “Black & White” is a collection of 130 monochrome graphics, assembled by Viction:ary as the first book in their salute to Palette series.
Despite the limited palette, or perhaps because of it, the designs featured are dramatic and attention-grabbing. After all with just black and white, the artists’ use of line and shape have to be keenly edited. Certain designs are brought to life by their environment, such as my personal favorite – a bread bag which turns the top of a tasty baguette into a gnome hat. Other projects include patterned mannequins and milk bottles, business cards and bagel packaging. All the featured projects are photographed and printed in full color, and will serve to get your creative juices flowing.
Final verdict (Buy It, Borrow It, Forget It)? Buy it.
