as easy as 1,2,3…
We all know it to some degree whether we realize it or not. It’s so deeply ingrained in us that we hardly notice it in our everyday encounters. Once upon a time it was a foreign, interesting phenomenon. We use it to be heard—to connect with one another. It is the very foundation of our society…
No, it’s not Facebook. I’m talking about type!
I’m sure we have all owned those “ABC” building blocks at some point during our childhood. Sure, maybe we traded those awesome vintage-looking wooden blocks for some lead-based cubes made in China, but their role in our lives is still just as impactful. It was our first encounter with type—with communication.
People will say “Typography? I don’t know anything about that stuff! I’m not a Graphic Designer, or a whateveryoucallit!” But, the truth is that you don’t need to be. We all forget that our love affair with type started before we could even walk. Yes, that’s right. Before you could even say your own name, you have been fiddling about with typography.
We used to take those lovely, colorful “ABC” blocks and build incredible towers of letters with them. Or we would construct unsolvable labyrinths through which our G.I. Joe figures could wander about. Either way, we were using our imagination and creativity to make letters bend to our will.
Type is an essential part of our lives and it allows us to communicate the way we see fit. Most of our reactions to it, however, are triggered unconsciously. It’s surprising how our simple everyday choices are affected by type. If you don’t believe me, pay attention to your surroundings the next time you’re walking around your neighborhood. Where would you rather eat lunch: the restaurant whose name appears in elegant hand-written letters across their storefront, or the local diner who’s rusty old sign lights up like a throwback to some 50’s greaser movie? Think about it.
Before you know it, you’ll start to notice the type around you wherever you are. You’ll begin to question it and want to understand why it was chosen for that particular purpose. But most importantly, don’t forget to give a good “hey, that looks really cool” and snap a quick photo every now and then. It’s good for you. It’s fun.
By: Bryan Heredia
