VERDANA NERDVANA
Terrific story in today’s National Post (it’s a Canadia newspaper; I’m in Whistler, B.C., this week) about last weekend’s TypeCon 2008 international summit in Buffalo last weekend. It was literally a character-building process, as the world’s foremost experts on type fonts convened to discuss matters such as Arial vs. Helvetica, etc.
The story, written by Vanessa Farquharson, told of lectures with titles such as “Verdana is Good, Mine is Better” and “Will the Real Times Roman Please Stand Up?”
Personally, I think she could have taken the piece a bit further. I wanted to know about the characters she encountered. Also, what was the flirting scene like at this conference?
He: “What do you think of my boldface?”
Her: “Sorry, you’re just not my type.”
Farquharson (whose very name sounds like a font) went on to report that there was a breakout session entitled, "If you were stuck on a desert island and only had 10 fonts, what would they be?"
You're stuck on a desert island but your laptop still has power?
Anyway, according to Farquharson, once the list was posted, "renowned German typographer" Erik Spiekermann walked by and took issue that Trebuchet was included. "Trebu-f____-chet?!? Spiekermann said. "Who put that on here?"
Talking smack at TypeCon! I love it.
Toxic Shock Syndrome
It only took a c-c-c-c-c-catfight! for the WNBA to become relevant (I was going to say, "Relevant again", but who are we kidding?). And suddenly ESPN has a new show: "Around Mahorn": the game of competitive battering. So what is more heinous, Detroit? Running into the stands to attack a male patron-albeit a beer-tossing one--or shoving a woman, a mom in fact, from behind?
Spellings Bee
Did you know that the Secretary of Education is named Maureen Spellings? Maureen Spellings (he italicizes as if you didn't already get the joke)! I love that. She was on "The Colbert Report" the other night and he was more than a little amused by her. When she discussed "No Child Left Behind" with the host and told him that schools that didn't measure up would be sanctioned, he said, "If this administration has taught us anything, it's that sanctions don't work. Aren't we better off bombing the schools and occupying them?"
Well said, Mr. C.
Don't you think that education in this country of ours would receive an instant boost simply by our Secretary deleting the second "s" from her surname? Me, too.
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Top Five New Fonts Formally Rejected at TypeCon
5. I Shot the Serif
4. Ransom Note Condensed
3. Wayne Fonts
2. Last Comic Sansing
1. Arial Sharon
A font walks into a bar but walks out disappointed. They wouldn't serve his type.
After being diagnosed with a Type A personality, I immediately pledged to
go Sans Serif. The fingers are willing, but the flesh is weak. I still find myself sneaking an occasional Serif now and again.
What kind of fonts do Campbell’s Soup lovers prefer?
a: Anything Condensed.
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What was history’s most well-spoken typeface?
a: Times. Because Times Knew Roman.
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When you need it most, which system font delivers?
a: Courier
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What typeface do fish fear most?
a: Gill Sans
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A sans-serif face walks into the street and is hit by a Swiss Modernist truck. The carnage is grotesk... but you know, akzidenz happen.
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I'm a graphic designer and HAD to contribute to this thread so thank you from the bottom of my little MAC geek heart. I've got better ones if things should take a turn for the PhotoShop....