Font ?? Friday and Other Designery Things #9

Font ?? Friday and Other Designery Things #9

Hello! I’m writing this on Earth Day, and it made me think about our carbon footprint.

So I’m not sharing too many images, it’s a short one today. Plus, I’m en route to Poole this week for Creator Day, run by You Are The Media.

It’s been a busy month with various events. Work and fun, life in full swing! Last weekend I went to see a production by the Pegasus Opera Company. They’re a recent client and I created a poster for an upcoming exhibition ‘Windrush – The Journey’.

The subject is close to my heart because it’s my parents’ generation. My dad met my mum in St Lucia before he left for England. He worked here first to save up so he could send my Mum the money to buy her?boat?ticket. It’s a romantic story, but it’s not all plain sailing moving to a whole new country. Especially in those times. They got married here in England and had me?and?my?sister.

My Windrush design was on the back of the programme. I was so chuffed to see my work in print at the venue. The typeface I used incorporated a face in the W because I wanted the human feel to it and an indication of looking forward. We don’t always have to use the obvious choices. Try symbols that work with your typeface – add a little quirk to your work.

Speaking of quirks… my font of the month is…

They say: COMBA is a quirky all caps display font that is perfect for display type and contemporary branding. It has just enough eye-catching letters to pull the reader in and make them smile. COMBA also comes with 5 logo templates and a colour palette. You can find more and buy it here.

DO believe the type hype

A new typography book is out, ‘Universal Principles of Typography’. It’s by Elliot Jay Stocks, fresh on the bookshop shelves, ready for you to buy and put on your desk. The book looks beautifully designed (of course it is, Elliot’s a designer). They say “It contains 100 key concepts, theories, and guidelines for choosing, pairing, and using type.” Mine’s on order. Check out where you can buy it here.

Making the news for the wrong reasons.

Continuing the theme of symbols. At the beginning of April football shirts caused controversy because of the design of the numbers. The number 44 resembled symbols used by Nazis in WWII. And worse, it was on the German team’s kit. And worse still, they were designed by Adidas, whose founders were part of the Nazi party. I’m highlighting this here because we should be aware of cultural symbols in our designs and consider what could offend people. Read more and see the visual here.

Information is BEAUTIFUL.

It really is. I love infographics – I actually think I fell in love with them years ago when I bought the book ‘Information is Beautiful’. I was like “why has this not sold out?” A visual delight of information. When I get to design infographics, I’m presented with an Excel file (yawn) and I make it into a visual design that’s way more exciting to look at than a data sheet (joy).

So when I saw that the founder of Information is Beautiful, David McCandless, is coming to do a rare public talk, I signed up! And it’s the 15th anniversary of Information is Beautiful. I HAVE to go. There are worldwide dates – I wish I could do the New York one but I’ll be at the London date. Check the info here. I’m so excited!

Five Minute Freelance Friday Focus

The takeover this month is by copywriter Raymond Manzor on sustainable living. Climate action is about small changes. Eat less meat. Lift-share or take the bus. Let the lawn grow wild. It's the combined effect of small actions, multiplied by 8 billion, that changes the world.

Take time out to read Raymond’s Substack

Connect with Raymond on LinkedIn

Thanks Ray – we can all take small steps. If you have something to share, reply to this email and I’ll add you in.

Moxie CRM for freelancers

In my last email, I mentioned I started using a CRM. Some of you lovely readers asked which one. It’s Moxie! It has quite a few functions other apps have, but they’re all rolled into one so you save money. Moxie lets you create bespoke booking calendars, send contracts, create proposals, invoice clients, keep a track of clients and projects, and much more. If you’re interested they have a trial period you can sign up here.*

I’ve had the funkiest freelancing workday to date, this month. Photographer Wendy posted a shout out on LinkedIn for peeps to be styled in 90’s gear. We did it wearing the brightest colours. Which prompted me to think about my ‘The Face’ magazine collection and how cool it would be to go back to that era and the designs. I spotted this cover in the Victoria & Albert Museum at the Diva exhibition this month. Love the A in the FACE.

Have you seen any fonts with symbols/ shapes in the wild you would like to share? Let me know

Happy Friday, people!


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Dominique van Werkhoven

Content Writer & Editor | Championing small businesses & non-profits to show up online with confidence and be found with ease | Co-Founder The Werks : Websites + Content

7 个月

Your Windrush design ?????????? “We don’t always have to use the obvious choices” yessss!

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Lisa de Caux

Stop your readers getting distracted by wordy niggles?Business books?Fiction?The enthusiasm is palpable

7 个月

Thank you for sharing this! And I love add a little ‘quirk to your work’, Angela ??

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CHESTER SWANSON SR.

Next Trend Realty LLC./wwwHar.com/Chester-Swanson/agent_cbswan

7 个月

Thanks for Sharing.

Deborah Harris

Organise your Time & Energy with me | Trusted Gatekeeper to Founders, MDs, C-Suite Execs & Decision-Makers | 1:1 Support | Team Support Short & Long Term International Cover

7 个月

I love your Windrush design, Angela Lyons!

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