I don’t know about you, but the classic thing I do when looking for typographic inspiration is to flick through a few magazines, design books or the web. Try taking a look at the typographic group on Flickr I really like what has been done. There are entries as you would expect showing pages of brochures and literature, but there are also more REAL WORLD examples you perhaps wouldn’t normally use as inspiration – street signs, posters partially pealed off walls etc.
Keeping a digital camera and snapping anything which could be useful for design inspiration is something I really ought to do – how about you?
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Hi Tara,
Having a camera in your phone means you don’t have to remember to take a separate camera with you (so long as the photos are for reference / inspiration only and not meant to be top quality!).
Thanks for the pointer to the typographic group on flickr, I will check it out.
Interesting link!!
For font viewing I usually head towards veer.com or use Linotype Font Explorer to view all the fonts using the word or phrase I need it in. Generally, I look at examples from the industry related to the work I’m doing for ideas. So let’s say it’s fashion – I look to other fashion magazines to find the trend in the design style at the time. Can’t know how to evolve something without knowing where it is right?
Speaking of typography, don’t forget about whatthefont.
I really love that Fremont sign! Why can’t they have creative stuff like that where I live? Who says government should always have to follow established design conventions?
I always have my camera in my handbag. It’s one of my four essential things: phone, camera, usb stick, and purse. Oh, and my ipod. And my carkeys, and my work keys, and… yeh, okay, so maybe they’re not *that* essential though.
I agree with Tracey – you could always use the camera in your phone. Some phones have pretty decent cameras in them these days.
Tipography is a complex thing… My friend made some fonts and He want to share with others. Here is a Link to post with free fonts =)
http://designtricks.blogspot.com/2007/09/free-fonts-made-by-komitlak.html
P.S. FontLab RULEZ!
I was always paying attention to all those types used in different medias: when watching a movie, ads and body text in magazines. I wasn’t really taking any photos of type examples on the street, but recently I started doing that too (inspired by John from iLT).
Thanks for that link to the Typography pool on Flickr. I just found a perfect choice for formatting dates on blogs from this photo.
Hi Everyone sorry to take a while to respond – been off on holiday – armed with camera and everything but didn’t find any nice type images but otherwise great.
Some examples of street typography in Russia:
http://kak.ru/columns/type/a1272/
Nice find Yury!
English language fonts and typography is beautiful but I always have a problem finding elegant calligraphy style Chinese fonts. Came across a really good site which allows you to download the font image in the Chinese character you want in GIF and EPS – a true gem!
Opps sorry..forgot to give the link. Here it is – http://www.youmade.com
Thanks Tara you’re info has inspired me.I take a camera with me,I have got good at taking photoe’s…they tell me a story, or a little about the web page I am working on..that helps me with my work….Try it you never know…Thanks..
Hmmm…I never thought that having a camera with me all the time could be so useful. I have a USB stick all the time, but I will buy a phone with a better camera to be able to “steal” some ideas if an opportunity arises. Thank you for the tip!
Capturing photos means so much for me. Other than using them for design purposes, the most important factor is that it saves the good things you’ve seen in life. I wouldn’t hang out without a camera with me. =)
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