GIBBERISH

Jaime over at Design Milk made my heart skip a beat with these letter form and number form scarves from Little Factory. I am at a loss for words...

{not-so-subliminal message: hubby, our anniversary is coming... click here.}

PROBONO

One of my favorite type foundries, Fountain, happens to offer one of my favorite pixel typefaces, Scrixel (see below). However, they also furnish a nice set of pro bono typefaces (see above) and I thought I might share the love. (view the site for usage rights.)It’s looking like I need to get my hands on Fountain’s latest type specimen booklet, Urgent, as well!

SLABBED

I noticed it has been some time since I posted on one of my favorite things: typefaces. Just as I began my post, I received an email from my favorite type foundry Hoefler & Frere-Jones about their new release, Archer; It stopped me in my tracks. I have always been a fan of slab serifs and the sheer versatility of Archer is unbelievable. Forty styles and character sets to choose from could create one dynamic yet cohesive mix. It seems they have carefully refined every aspect of this typeface from the lining and old-style figures to the balance of slab serifs and terminal balls of a typewriter font. Regardless of whether you even understood the previous sentence, you will definitely recognize the quality of this extensive type family.

(Look how good “mstetson” looks and those numbers... please!)

SIANARA ZAPFINO

Ciao, Edwardian. Farewell, Lucida. Adieu, Snell and Shelley. And dare I say, godspeed Bickham.

Anyone who knows me ( Stets ) and my typography preferences, knows I am a typeface snob. I pride myself in knowing that I can identify most typefaces, and if I can't, I won't sleep until I do. (I love a good challenge.) That is why M and I get along so well; we have nearly unattainable standards when it comes to quality, design, and materials. Her specialty… let's be real, everything designer; mine, typefaces. And with my over exposure to wedding invitations, I have seen many a script typeface. (Did I say I cringe at the word "font" except when used correctly. See AIGA's Font vs. Typeface or My Graphics Notebook's explanation.)

Below are some of my favorite scripts, and in Bickham's defense, it really is a nice script. Lots of alternates, nice proportions, easily legible and beautiful flourishes, but has recently turned into the latest "zapfino." Overused, misused and has become common, as are all the scripts mentioned thus far. Anyhow… i hope that you will enjoy them. I will now get off my type case. I mean, soap box.


{ BURGUES } Burgues Script would be beautiful implemented on a formal invitation. The alternates, swashes and flourishes make it a great calligraphy substitute. Gorgeous, period. Designed by Alejandro Paul.

{ LA PORTENIA } La Portenia is less formal and more playful than Burgues Script. Still great for an invitation, but maybe an event more friendly, casual. Designed by Diego Giaccone and Angel Koziupa, and engineered and expanded by Alejandro Paul.

{ SO PROLIX } So Prolix is a cute script typeface I can see used for baby showers and announcements. Its consistent stroke width makes is easily readable and differentiates it from some of the other scripts available. Could be a substitute for MeMina.

{ DEAR SARAH } Dear Sarah is a perfect option when you are looking for a script with a hand written quality. I mean, seriously, some of the alternate characters are ink splots… you have got to be kidding me. It has a small caps character set as well. Designed by Christian Robertson.