Public typography, lettering and memories

Lettering and signs are an essential part of our visual experience and urban landscape. We’re surrounded by them. Some point the way or tell us where we are; some give instructions and warnings; and others mark a moment to remember. They can hark back to a different time or capture the current zeitgeist; they can be simple and ubiquitous, or intricate and unique.Our December party and talkFest was a celebration of all kinds of public lettering and typography.

In partnership with the Information Design Association (IDA) three special guest speakers were welcomed. Phil Baines focussed on remembering, giving a brief account of his recent project, working with architects Carmody Groarke, on the design of the Tavistock Square memorial, for the victims of the July 2005 attacks on the number 30 bus in London. Alistair Hall presented his ongoing research documenting London’s rich collection of street nameplates. These signs work both as visual anchors telling us where we are, and as temporal anchors telling us where we’ve come from. Geraldine Marshall gave an overview of her Graphic DNA in Birmingham research. She also introduced the Birmingham Sign Museum + Archive founded to ensure the conservation of, education about, and public engagement, with British signs.

About our speakers

Phil Baines has been a freelance graphic designer for many years, with clients including the Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft, and Matt’s Gallery. He has written several books including Signs: lettering in the environment (with Catherine Dixon) and Penguin by design. Phil is Professor of Typography at Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London). He is also a member of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee for the Design of Coins, Seals, Medals and Decorations.

Alistair Hall is an award-winning graphic designer based in London. He set up his design studio We Made This in 2004. He specialises in thoughtful, simple, beautiful print design. His clients include Penguin Books, Historic Royal Palaces, Jeremy Tankard Typography, the National Trust and John Lewis. Alistair is a co-founder and art director of the children’s literacy charity Ministry of Stories, and its fantastical shop Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. Alistair also teaches at Central Saint Martins and The Cass (London Metropolitan University).

Geraldine Marshall is a lecturer in graphics, and a PhD candidate, at Birmingham City University. Her PhD is on ‘Graphic DNA: towards the application of a taxonomy’. Her research uses the Marshall taxonomy of environmental lettering (MTEL) to implement a systematic approach to recording the environmental lettering of Birmingham. Geraldine’s interests include street lettering: how it communicates, how it is perceived and how it impacts the landscape. As well as building an extensive photographic archive recording the lettering landscape of Birmingham, she recently formed the Birmingham Sign Museum + Archive.

Recording