Surely by now you've come across Metroscript--a relatively new OpenType script typeface that's being hailed as "one of the most complex digital script systems on the market" and rightfully so. Designed by Michael Doret of the Alphabet Soup type foundry, Metroscript takes full advantage of the OpenType format, which makes possible and incredible number ligature combinations and, thus, lends a more hand-made look to headlines and copy. My particular interests in it are from the standpoint of the computer-generated, cut-vinyl signage industry and its new tool for getting that hand-made look. Will it displace some old-fashioned hand-painters? It's possible. Metroscript essentially presents the designer with a Rubik's Cube of ligature options--most of which look good enough to print. So, I imagine many designers might end up wanting to use their comps as the finished product. Just press Ctrl-P.

Labels: calligraphy, design, ephemera, Font, Foundry, graphic design, hand-painted, OpenType, script, signs, Typography

Pedal on over to Taliah Lempert's unique collection of bicycle "portraits" and see if you can find your own...model that is. The bikes in her artwork belong people she knows and, she claims, represent an extension of their personalities. She has a loose painterly style that fits the portraiture concept and clearly has developed a mastery of capturing her subjects' likeness. Oh, and check out her coloring book, while you're there.

Labels: Art, bicycles, Drawing, environment, hand-painted

I once again bow in humble submission, this time to two Flickr groups, Signpaintr and Faded Signage, the latter sporting over 7,000 photos of hand-painted/hand-made signs taken by over a thousand members from all over the world. There are active discussion boards within each group as well as RSS feeds to keep up with all the latest additions.

Labels: ephemera, hand-painted, signs

This tome of Ed Ruscha's word drawings should satisfy both lovers of contemporary art and designers alike. They Called Her Styrene collects almost 600 'word' artworks created by Ruscha since the early 1960s onward, which he executed in a variety of mediums including pastel, graphite, acrylic, gunpowder and even vegetable and fruit juices. While some pieces are as deadpan as the image on the book's cover, others are stunning renderings of three-dimensional ribbon-like words. Shaped like a good sized brick, you're sure to have enough room for this must-own monograph on your coffee table.

Labels: Art, Drawing, Ed Ruscha, hand-painted, Typography

Alas, I've gotten caught up on the past 4 or so years of sign pictures laying around my hard drive. Feast your eyes on about 140 new gems of hand-painted and hand-made goodness.

Labels: folk art, hand-painted, outsider art, signs, Typography