Cool Finds | the mehallo blog. beta.

Örjan Nordling’s Dagny, now at FontShop

All about FF Dagny: Evolution of a newspaper type font, interview and post at GarciaMedia.

FF Dagny is now available thru FontShop.

Tags: cool finds, fonts, publication design, typography by steve
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Design exhibitions at the San Francisco Public Library

Calligraphy by Marsha Brady, found via the MyFonts Blog

Kalligraphia 12,
an exhibition of hand-lettered art and calligraphy
Runs thru August 23, 2009

A Trip to the Fair, 1939:
The Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco
Runs thru August 23, 2009

Both are the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street (at Grove), sixth floor, San Francisco, CA 94102 [map]

Details here.

Tags: cool finds, design, design history, education, exhibitions, typography by steve
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John Downer exhibition in El Lay

John Downer doing his thing, via The FontFeed

An Exhibition of Hand Lettered Posters by John Downer
Opening Reception Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 8 to 11 p.m.

At RESERVE, 420 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(directly across from Canter’s Delicatessen) [map]

Details here.

Tags: art, cool finds, design, design history, events, exhibitions, typography by steve
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Frederic W. Goudy: new site launches, new releases

F.W.G. portrait by Clarence P. Hornung
from Leslie Cabarga’s Logo, Font & Lettering Bible

Frederic W. Goudy (1865–1947) was considered one of the most prolific type designers of the early 20th Century. Not to be confused with Antonio Gaudi, F.W.G. is mostly known for Copperplate and Goudy Oldstyle that show up on most font menus. But that’s just the beginning.

Goudy’s ‘quick sketch’ drawings for Kennerley Italic
from D.J.R. Bruckner’s Frederic Goudy

Goudy was self taught. And his font career really didn’t take off until he was in his 40s. Legend goes, Goudy could draw a font in about a week. [Read more →]

Tags: cool finds, design history, fonts, typography by steve
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Los Angeles Printers Fair: August 29

TONS of vintage printing stuff and ephemera.

Want to volunteer or sponsor? Give them a hollar.

There’s also a some vendor highlights posted on their blog.

Tags: cool finds, design, design history, education, events by steve
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Letterpress primer

Here’s a link to a great letterpress overview at tdc.

Images via The Design Cubicle

Tags: cool finds, design, design history, education by steve
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Googie primer

Lyon’s Coffee Shop, San Bruno, CA 1962. Found via Googie Art.

I grew up around Googie Architecture. It was just there. Space age-looking buildings, funky decor and rocks in the walls. Lots of rocks. Flintstones-like, but where the Jetson’s were running the quarry.

The 24 hour Lyon’s in San Bruno (see above) was the high school hangout. Long weird nights. In college, those weird nights spread to the other Lyon’s in San Mateo, San Carlos and Daly City. Denny’s was the alternative.

The style’s roots can be traced back to Frank Lloyd Wright and Tallesin West. Architect John Lautner designed the first Googie structure in 1949 and it was panned by critics. The firm of Armet and Davis designed most of the rest. [Read more →]

Tags: cool finds, design, design history, fonts, thoughts, typography by steve
3 comments . . .