vol.1

This is a collection of typography from London, New York, Madrid, Liverpool and Faro. I photographed the typography on each page probably because it interested me, repulsed me, made me laugh or even smile.

I think that the evironment that type is placed and appears in is significant in an urban space. The constant change of signs and the typograhy that passes by as you navigate around a space. It manipulates in front of you even if you stand stationary on the street. This is a powerful aspect of city life as you are constantly observing and being influenced by typography conciously or not.

I love it when humour comes into the equation of found type. Intentional or unintentional I find that the intrigue is in it’s unexpected appearance. It could have fallen off however I would prefer it was intentional however, that someone has taken time out of their day to play with type and create a new message.

This photograph I took when I first moved into my flat in Islington. Like the toilet /to let image on the previous page the lettering here has also been vandalised to create another meaning. The missing letter is an “R”. There are the same signs on each block of flats on my road, each with different markings and wear. I think that the surface and environment the type is in complete it.

It is clear that typography is effected by the space it is in and other lettering or signs around it. I find it interesting where type encourages other forms of type and allows for that particular style, form or process to take over an environment. An obvious example of this is graffiti. How does it start? One person decides on a space being sufficient which encourages others to follow until that space is known for it’s tags and street art. Below is an image of a nenon sign over a gallery in Vyner Street. The positioning, the area and the time of day all contribute to it’s form and function. I want to go back at night and take another photograph for comparison.

I love old painted adveristments and signs. The top one was for Harper Pianos in Holloway Road. I have found them refered to a ghost signs. I assume bacause they are faded signs or advertisements for products or companies that no longer exsist or are relevant to the area or site on which they are painted on.

I enjoy spotting signs where perfection isn’t quite met due to human error. In this case it looks like the ‘R’ is lower than the other letters. I think with out this accident the sign wouldn’t have the same character that it does with it. On closer expection on a grid it is only the letters that form “LAUNDE” that are on the same line, “RETTE” looks like it was put up seperatly and lower down. I find this mistake as well as the chosen colour and font portrays perfectly what this little and unintentionally “retro” shop is like inside. This I feel makes the sign sucessful even with with the traditonal design flaws.

The photograph on the left I took in a small exhibition by Fred London last year. I find that taking a letter out of context or simply looking at letterfoms by themselves create new significance in contrast to when they are working together in a word. The photograph in the right bottom corner was taken last January of the current showings on the Screen on the green cinema sign in Islington. I love the nostalgic nature it has and the playfulness it emotes with the process of changing the titles.

I also love hand written type on public spaces. The messages written on the inside of wall of the pub toilet and the comments written on the advertisments on the tube. Some are statements, some argue with the poster they are written on, some make you laugh and others are just rude.

Holloway Road Font

Holloway Road Font

I think that this image captures the typographical relationship between the old and new semiotics in the area. There is an overwhelming presence of this in the town of Faro. As shown in the image above hand painted signs are on most street corners. Although many are faded or damaged they still serve a purpose and are a beautiful representation of the Moorish influence and Algarvian traditions. The traditional painted tiles called “Azulejos” decorate many facades of buildings in Portugal. The patterned borders still have a quality reminiscent of the Middle Eastern influence, brought over by the invasion of Moors during the middle ages. The image of the signs in right corner shows the contrast of the digital age of typography and how this area is keen to move on from traditional methods. The san serif computer generated font does not have the same tone of voice that the hand painted one has. It alters the narrative of the town indicating that the digital age of type has become an integral part of the town’s navigation and current culture.

This alphabet was created from typography photographed on a three day wander around the streets of Madrid, Spain.

I find the contrast of hand written or type placed after the initial design was erected interesting. There are examples of this through out the archive.

Like most cities Madrid has a fantastic spread of old, new and hand written layers of typography on every street. I found also that the Spanish wording made the signage more interesting. Like Portugal the old hand painted street names stand proud but are now surrounded by modern san serif fonts and western garish franchise signage.

London, New York, Madrid, Liverpool & FaroAll photography by Nikki Scott 2007 - 2010