Japan Drier : Print Room | Caitlin Landingham

Helvetica being used on the can of Japan Drier, a toxic element used in relief printing inks to help speed up the long drying process. This can probably hasn't changed its design since the late 50s/ early 60s when most commercialized products used Helvetica typeface. 

Helvetica is a widely used sans-serif developed in 1957 by Swiss font designer, Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann. We've all seen the documentary helvetica I'm sure I don't need to give much more of a history. It became a staple for American Industries and was used widely among most business in the 60s. 

Boy Scouts | Andrea Johnson

This is the cover of a Boy Scout encyclopedia I found in an antique shop and bought for a friend's collection of vintage Boy Scout stuff. I will be analyzing the words "Boy Scout."

This is a sans serif font.

This is a really nerdy encyclopedia of all things Boy Scouts. It was made in 1945, and it is complete with all kinds of definitions and beautifully done illustrations both in black and white and in color.

The typography enhances the message by making it very clear as to who the Boy Scouts of America are and what they do. The type looks like planks of wood that have been put together, which really captures the identity of Boy Scouts.

This will influence my work by inspiring me really consider the identity of the company or group I am designing for. I feel like if I was the one to have put together this book, I would have avoided the wood plank type because I feel that it is an obvious solution. But after seeing it here I can see that choosing the obvious was the best solution. It's important to remember to not always shy away from the obvious, because that can sometimes make the best solution.