Advertising on the Tube (GrC)

If you have ever taken the tube during rush hour you understand how many people can squeeze onto one train at the same time. This suffocating experience is horrible for the individual but makes tube stations the perfect place for companies to place their advertisements. The white walls of the underground are covered with different ad campaigns providing an interesting visual landscape.

Guinness Factory (GrC)

While in Dublin we were able to visit the Guinness factory. For some reason I expected a minimalistic factory where you got a quick tour and learned to pour your own Guinness. However, this couldn’t be father from the truth. The factory is seven stories and guides you through the brewing process with bold graphics and modern designs. From a tasting room to an aroma room Guinness tries to capitalize on all of your senses. They used a thick sans serif type for the majority of their signs, giving an old brand a modern twist. Guinness wastes no expense showing tourists that they are Ireland’s best.     

Dalston Signage

The streets of Dalston are crowded with bold type and big signs. Many restaurants use 3D signs to display their names. In addition to this style, there are other stores that use hand painted signs for a more personalized look. Regardless of the style, Dalston is the perfect place to explore a wide variety of typography and see how different storefronts benefit from their choice in signage. 

Wayfinding in Howth

Twenty five minutes outside of Dublin is Howth, a small fishing village along the coast of Ireland. Because the town is so small the wayfinding is much more unique. Rather than one cohesive system, the maps are much more personalized and provide detailed illustrations. The wayfinding fits perfectly with the spirit of the town.

Color at Ascot (GrC)

With an event so large, the branding that is associated with Ascot must meet the prestige. This year, the primary color Ascot used in its branding was a deep royal blue. This blue was the base that Ascot branding was based off of. The Modern British Classic poster played with the blue shade making it more of an aqua and adding a pop of purple. These colors work well together because they both belong to the same triad of yellow, aqua and violet. Additionally, the poster creates contrast by mixing a script and sans serif typeface. By choosing a color that could be easily manipulated, Ascot was able to create cohesive and elegant branding. 

Street Art (GrC)

Brick Lane

Abbey Road

A common theme between major cities is that they usually all have traces of graffiti or street art. London is no different, and while walking through Brick Lane I noticed many of the alleyways were covered in graffiti. The first picture caught my eye because it was colorful and messy, much like Brick Lane’s own history. The second picture is from Abbey Road and is the result of years of Beatles fans visiting the iconic street. Both images prove how graffiti can reflect the history of an area and offer a raw representation of a city’s past. 

Off to the Races

Fueled by champagne and high fashion, the Ascot Racecourse is the place to be on a Friday afternoon. We spent the day picnicking and rooting for horses we knew nothing about. Our bets were placed on the horses with the most interesting names. We were rooting for you Oh So Sassy!

Street Signs (GrC)

It took me a while to realize that London street signs are placed onto buildings rather than on the corners of streets. Once I learned to look at the buildings I was able to navigate my way around the city with much more ease. Around our neighborhood there are many signs designating the different areas of Kensington. The top of the signs designate that we are in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The actual name of the street is in black and is written in all caps using much simpler font. The signs create contrast by only using one primary color and a white background. The simplicity of the street signs makes them easy to identify and replicate. 

Yes Please (GrC)

Over the weekend I picked up Amy Poehler’s new book Yes Please. Having already read Mindy Kaling’s, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without me and Tina Fey’s, Bossypants, I was excited to see how Amy’s book compared in this genre of comedic memoirs. Not only is Yes Please gracefully written, the design of the book is completely unique. The book makes a strong first impression with glossed pages instead of paper. Inside there are bold and colorful graphics that divide the book into sections. The text is occasionally broken up with bulleted lists and images. Additionally, the typography is varied throughout which keeps the reader visually engaged. These bold design elements elevate the book and make it stand out among the rest. Between the witty writing and colorful design, Yes Please has debuted the genius that is Amy Poehler.