Mark My Word with TypeEd

A little over a week ago, I participated in a 6-hr workshop offered by TypeEd. Based in Downtown LA, TypeEd strives to bridge the gap between design education and the strong typographic foundation every designer should have by offering classes & workshops for the masses. This particular workshop was called Mark My Word taught by Michael Stinson of Ramp Creative. Each workshop usually consists a small class size of six and range in skill level.

The first exercise was to pick a brand from a folder full of logos and alter the wordmark to change the meaning of the word/brand name. Some of the examples were Microsoft to 'Microsuck', Porsche to 'Poorsche', and so on. We given an hour and a half to come up with concepts our wordmark. Once a concept was chosen, we were given one hour to execute it. Of the bunch, I decided to go with American Express which I then transformed into 'American Depress'. 

One of my other concepts was for PowerBar which would then be 'PowerBarf'. I started drawing a 'f' just in case I finished early and wanted to do a second one.

Exercise #1 Crit

For the next (and final) exercise, we were each assigned an airline and our assignment was to change the typeface to make their existing logo look more modern without altering their symbol. I was given U.S. Airways.

When crit time came around for the second exercise, it was quite clear that we were a fickle bunch. We were each only supposed to present ONE final version, but (as you can see) we couldn't decide.

Exercise #2 Crit

Overall, it was a great way to spend the day playing around with type. The workshop was also a good reminder that I still have a few bad habits that I need to kick to the curb.

If you're looking to spruce up your type skills, check out TypeEd's Catalog for classes, workshops, and clinics.

Special thanks to Rachel Elnar of Ramp Creative for inviting me to attend the workshop.

Sunday Signage

Unlike yesterday, we didn't really have a plan today. We sorta just wandered about. We headed over to the University of Minnesota campus to check out the Weisman Art Museum that was designed by Frank Gehry. Afterwards, we went to check out some of the shops across the street in a neighborhood appropriately named Dinkytown. I would say the restaurants and shops seemed very lackluster, but I loved the little remnants of what was once there. There was an old pharmacy with mosaics on the exterior that say "DRUGS DRUGS DRUGS" that is now Loring's Pasta Bar. Unfortunately, I was driving when I passed it and didn't get a chance to take a picture of it. As we walked down the block, it was just weird to see such a huge contrast between the old and the new & trendy.

Above is Camdi, which I originally read as Camoi.

Signage Sunday!

If h is a Chair

Andrew Byrom on Business Cards

Ridiculous Skills

Dana Tanamachi is a graphic designer most known for her hand lettering skills with chalk. Just the amount of precision and depth she's able to create in her typography using a simple and low-tech medium, such as chalk, just blows my mind.

If you've never seen Dana work it, I suggest you take a gander.


Ace Hotel Room 1021 from Dana Tanamachi on Vimeo.