Research
- Sign writing // is sign writing dying due to technology?
- "Technology" or digital image-making or contemporary graphic design?
- Any specific area / industry / application?
- In defence of sign writing
- Focus more on "sign writing" rather than digital technology.
- Look at traveler culture, how sign writing was influenced by this. Wagons, etc.
- Primary research - sign writing used in various contexts:
- Traveler culture
- Coffee shops
- Granary Wharf
- Clarence Dock
Practical
- Connecting with history - pastiche
- What is the commercial potential of sign writing?
- Can you find a client and produce some work for them? Reflecting on the defense of sign writing and showing that there is still a need?
What questions do I want to investigate?
- What is the history of sign writing?
- Why was sign writing important?
- Is sign writing still important?
- How has technology affected sign writing? Positives and negatives..
- Do people still appreciate sign writing? Why?
- How did structure within design affect sign writing traditions?
- Do people paint within trends? Or stick to traditional styles?
- How has the digital age affected the use of typography and the need for legibility vs creativity?
- Has hand rendered typography become more apparent now that everyone is bored of the 'norm'?
- Can sign writing be used commercially?
- Where has it been used effectively within the industry?
- What are the visual qualities of sign writing?
- Is sign writing coming back into trend?
- What does the future hold for sign writers and letterers?
After considering my list of questions, I decided on 2...
Primary Question:
How has the digital age affected the use of typography and the need for legibility vs creativity?
Secondary Question:
What does the future hold for sign writers and letterers?
First Thoughts and Preconceptions...
In the digital era, there are a lot of alternative solutions to sign writing that are cheaper, quicker and a whole lot easier. But I don't think that these alternatives are anywhere near as high quality, or that they even hold as much character as a hand painted sign. For example, vinyl needs to be replaced every year or so, as the weather effects the sticky plastic a whole lot quicker than it effects enamel. It may still end up a lot cheaper than paying someone to paint you something, but I think that there is affordability in quality.
Computers and technology have definitely affected typography, and in many different ways. I think that computers have limited designers. People are afraid to step outside their comfort zones and experiment with their designs. People are afraid to fail, where as before when you'd have to hand draw your posters, or create them through screen printing / letter press, designers seemed to be a lot more experimental and would play around, knowing that they could fail or even cause a happy accident. Designing definitely seemed to be more of a skill before computers. Nowadays, anyone and everyone thinks they're a designer if they have the right software!
Weingart’s quote: “What's the use of being legible when nothing inspires you to take notice of it?" If designers aren't experimenting with their typography, or trying to produce something new and exciting, who is going to want to look at it? It's boring following rules and structure, and creating the same things over and over again. I think that sign writing and lettering are so much more exciting when it comes to typography usage, as you can really make something catch your eye and stand out from the crowd, whilst still being completely legible.
I think that the future still holds a place for sign writers and letterers, but it's definitely becoming a niche market, as a lot of people like to think that they can produce the same work themselves by printing things out or cutting it out of vinyl... I think that sign writing is an art form, and should definitely be more appreciated and sought after.
What is the purpose of the study?
To find out whether sign writing is becoming extinct, and whether there's any way of helping the public appreciate the skill and craftsmanship.
Is your question researchable?
I think so! I've found lots of books on the subject already, and have even bought the Sign Painters film to watch to get more of an insight into it. There are also lots of books out there that are about technological advances that will help guide my research.
Title:
How has the digital age affected the use and importance of typography within sign writing?