But, as they say, when one problem is solved another steps up to take its place. In this case its licensing restrictions for some fonts. The problem in a nutshell: foundries make awesome fonts. They sell those fonts to us — designers — and in turn we use @font-face to put those fonts on web pages. But when we do that we often break the licensing rights that come along with those fonts since putting them on the web is just like distributing them. Just as you can download an image from the web, so to would you be able to download the font. Until those fonts can be protected, designers won't take the risk.

A solution presents itself with Typekit — a subscription based web app that let's you link to their online font files without worrying about licensing restrictions. An excerpt from their site:

As a Typekit user, you’ll have access to our library of high-quality fonts. Just add a line of JavaScript to your markup, tell us what fonts you want to use, and then craft your pages the way you always have. Except now you’ll be able to use real fonts. This really is going to change web design.

Will Typekit change everything? No. Well, maybe. Right now it's a little early to tell from the beta reviews. It'll come down to pricing and even then what advantages will it grant over just using @font-face with some free, creative-commons typefaces? Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it or think it's a bad idea; far from it. I just think Typekit might be a step to bigger things to come. But the most interesting thing about Typekit is they're using subscription fees rather than buying as a new idea for the licensing model.

Besides Typekit, the .webfont format and OpenType with added meta data could fix the problem of the fonts' licensing. Basically they would both have meta data within the file that would allow the font to be displayed — and not downloaded — to prevent theft of the font. Problem with this is it would first have to go through the bureaucracy know as the W3C. The W3C has along track record of drawing things out far too long, like the recommendation for CSS3 which took 8 years (and still aren't complete today). And if the formats did get recommended there would still have to be support from the browsers.

The good news is there are solutions for now like using fonts that are free & open-source. Sites such as The League of Movable Type are making a new model different from other foundries and type designers. I won't go into detail but check out their site and read their manifesto. After a long time of waiting its good to finally see the long-neglected web typography area finally moving forward.

Is you're interested in learning more, checkout these links: #^@! the Foundries, Webfonts — Where Are We?, Getting Started with Typekit and a great example of Typekit in use: For a Beautiful Web.

New illustration with a focus on typography for a change. Iphone wallpaper. Poem. Walt Whitman. Yeah.

The official title is "Walt Whitman Wears Shades" as you'll see why if you look at the image. The featured poem, called A Clear Midnight, was part of the compilation Leaves of Grass from 1900.

I wanted to do an exercise with typography and this is what happened. Just maybe I'll get a poster printed of this sometime. Oh, and the typeface is Lucida Std if any typophiles out there are interested. Enjoy.

I like type. Even more, I like type when it's used in non-standard ways or found in unlikely places. So when I gandered at this amazing project called Type in the Sky from Lisa Rienermann I took notice. I'm not sure where I can buy the book as the website seems to be in German but if anyone knows where I can grab one or if you know German please shoot me a line. Till then check it out and support your local typographer.

About a week ago I excitedly put this movie on my Netflix queue. Yes I know its about a typeface.Yes its a documentary. And no, it wasn't boring. It was awesome. Emphasis on awesome. It may sound boring, but for a designer it is far from it. After a few days of sitting by my TV I finally popped it in and was extremely satisfied. A great film. Great. Maybe a little long, but great.

The film is mostly filled with famous designers giving their opinions about the typeface with the history of its inception detailed too. Designers such as Stefan Sagmeister, Paula Scher, Hermann Zapf and David Carson, literal hereos of design gave there opiions on the typeface. And no its not a boring movie about people talking about how awesome Helvetica is. Some designers praised it but an equal number hated and shunned it. They commented on how it represented war, calmness, hate, fluidness, big business and the human form all at the same time. Its the font that can be used in every situation yet should never be used again. The film showcased the polarizing aspects of the iconic font and its effect on the world of design.

If you area designer, pick this film up now. If you are an extreme film geek, pick it up also. But don't move it to the front of your Netflix queue. 20 is good.

Awhile ago I did this logo for a video production company. This is the version they didn't like. I'd thought I'd share.

I wish they would have liked this version as much as I did. A fun illustration is the center point with some of the simplest typography I've used in a logo to date. Let me know what you think.

Today I came upon a site that serves as a database/repository for old World War II-era propaganda/war effort posters.

The Government and Geographic Information and Data Services Department at Northwestern University Library has a comprehensive collection of over 300 posters issued by U.S. Federal agencies from the onset of war through 1945.

Its really interesting to check out older design and think about all the iconic images the designers of that time gave us. The typography, colors and illustrations used on those posters are synonymous with the World War II-era and today this same style of design is still around in band posters, t-shirts and even major brand advertising. I guess what I'm trying to say is good design will always stand the test of time.

The full database of the the WW2 posters can be found at World War II Poster Collection from Northwestern University Library.

Helvetica, a font that says clean, bland, natural, corporate, boring and amazing all at the same time, is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. I'm a bit of a closet type lover, but I wanted to write a post about this amazing font just the same.

Designed in 1957 by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann in Muenchenstein, Switzerland, Helvetica quickly became the typeface used by designers and corporations alike and in the process has spawned many copies and quick knockoffs. Arial is the best know copy, popularized first by Microsoft in Windows 3.1. Arial's use has grown in popularity with very Windows version since and has even eclipsed Helvetica in use.  A few of the better Helvetica  homages are Neue Helvetica and Coolvetica.

Gap, Hoover, Lufthansa, Panasonic, Royal Bank of Scotland, Tupperware, Crate&Barrel, American Apparel and many more are all brands that use Helvetica in their logos.

Helvetica, a documentary flim by Gary Hustwit, is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. The film covers the history of the typeface as part of a larger discussion about the way type affects our everyday lives. Helvetica is currently screening at film festivals, museums, design conferences, and cinemas worldwide, followed by the DVD release in October. A screening will take place in Orlando, FL on September 21 at Valencia Community College.

If interested in learning more about this great font, check out the BBC story or Mark Simonson's blog.