“Business art is the step that comes after Art. I started as a commercial artist, and I want to finish as a business artist.”
—Andy Warhol
Posted by July 28, 2009 permalink
“Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature. Never try to correct them. On the contrary: rationalize them, understand them thoroughly. After that, it will be possible for you to sublimate them.”
—Salvador Dalí
Posted by June 15, 2009 permalink
Being obsessed with all-things-Swiss type, and of course, Helvetica, I find this brief article to be quite interesting.
The (mostly) true story of Helvetica and the New York City Subway.
There is a commonly held belief that Helvetica is the signage typeface of the New York City subway system, a belief reinforced by Helvetica, Gary Hustwit’s popular 2007 documentary about the typeface. But it is not true—or rather, it is only somewhat true. Helvetica is the official typeface of the MTA today, but it was not the typeface specified by Unimark International when it created a new signage system at the end of the 1960s. Why was Helvetica not chosen originally? What was chosen in its place? Why is Helvetica used now, and when did the changeover occur? To answer those questions this essay explores several important histories: of the New York City subway system, transportation signage in the 1960s, Unimark International and, of course, Helvetica. These four strands are woven together, over nine pages, to tell a story that ultimately transcends the simple issue of Helvetica and the subway.
Posted by June 6, 2009 permalink
“Every visual creative work is a manifestation of the character of the designer. A reflection of his knowledge.”
~ Josef Muller-Brockmann
Posted by June 1, 2009 permalink
“There is a brief moment when all there is in a man’s mind and soul and spirit is reflected through his eyes, his hands, his attitude. This is the moment to record.”
—Yousuf Karsh
Posted by May 28, 2009 permalink
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
—Thomas A. Edison
Posted by May 24, 2009 permalink
“The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.”
— Orson Welles
Posted by May 18, 2009 permalink
