helvetica: the ubiquitous

We think typography is black and white. Typography is really white, it's not even black. lt is the space between the blacks that really makes it. ln a sense it's like music, it's not the notes, it's the space you put between the notes that makes the music. - Massimo Vignelli

I've actually been excited about Helvetica since years ago, but it turns out to be less exciting than Objectified, the second film of the documentary trilogy by Gary Hustwit. I've been interested in typography and graphic design since I was in school, but there's nothing new that really inspired from the movie, it almost even bored me.

However, I like what Massimo Vignelli stated in the movie that "The life of a designer is a life of fight: fight against the ugliness". Even if it's ubiquitous and boring and predictable, it's still better for people, that aren't designers, to use Helvetica, like everyone did on the 60s in United States, rather than messing around with ugly typeface.

ps. why you should write your essays in Baskerville typeface. (via his tweet)

a travel journal

I am planning to post a journal of my recent travel to Bangkok, Thailand. Hopefully I'll have the discipline these days ahead, I have so many that I need to write down and archive from the short trip. In between will also hopefully publish some postponed posts.

the royal tenenbaums

So I finally understand the cult of that Wes Anderson guy. I love everything about this movie. The quirky and unusual characters, the set design, the graphic and the use of types, the composition. A lot of scenes were shot frontal and static which makes all those elements become important. The whole production design that sticks to the 70s era looks so cool and very pleasing to the eye. Even Buckley the beagle looks cute.

Now I'm obsessed:

Next I should catch up with Rushmore and rewatch the Darjeeling Limited.

accidentally lost

iso50 ?

Been enjoying share some candy, where you could find a lot of artsy inspiration. Like this one. The post linked to the original site, iso50, which has coolll vintage posters and stuffs. Noted that it is by an Artist (slash) Musician, which is very cool! Aren't this an awesome combination, a vintage device, millimeter block, typo, and of course the tones! Seen lotta vintage devices at my office, gotta photograph em better tho.

typo typo

Awesome black and white typo! Both images from lettercult (as I have difficulties finding each credit there).

And also check out 10 Incredibles Sites to Improve Your Typography Skills.