Explore the unique power of typography, specifically focusing on the handwritten category, and its application in various fields, such as film, web design, and event invitations. Learn about the historical origins of handwritten typefaces and their modern significance in conveying a personal, spontaneous feel in design.
Key Insights
- The development of handwritten typefaces can be traced back to around 3500 BC with the Kish tablet, which represents a transition from hieroglyphs to handwriting.
- Handwriting fonts are designed to mimic the quality and feeling of human writing, providing a personal and informal touch in communication.
- The primary difference between a script and a handwritten font lies in the formality level; scripts are more calligraphic and formal, while handwritten fonts are casual and personal.
- Handwritten typefaces were effectively used in the opening sequence of the 1964 film, Dr. Strangelove, to create an ominous yet personal feeling.
- The Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission website employs Besom 2, a handwritten brush font, to evoke a lively, spontaneous feeling.
- Handwritten typography is commonly used in wedding invitations, as observed in Vince and Marlene's website, which uses a combination of fonts and hand-drawn elements to create a unique, engaging vibe.
Handwritten Type Traits
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Casual & Personal
Imitates real human writing — adds warmth and informality.
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Less Connected than Script
Letters often stand separately, like print rather than cursive.
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Trendy in Branding
Common in friendly, indie, or craft-style brand identities.
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Examples
Caveat, Kalam, Indie Flower, Patrick Hand, Architects Daughter.
Video Transcription
Welcome back everyone to our short talks on The Classifications of Typography here at Noble Desktop.
The type category we are looking at in this video is the Handwritten Category.
Our exploration of handwritten typefaces begins around 3500 bc with the Kish tablet. The tablet was found in Iraq near the ancient Samarian city of Kish. Although the tablet is written in cuneiform and mostly features pictographs it represents the transitional stage from hieroglyphs to actual handwriting.
Handwritten or handwriting fonts are a category of type, designed to mimic the quality and feeling of human writing.
The critical difference between a script and a handwritten font is that script fonts generally lean towards being calligraphic. While handwritten fonts are looser, and have a more personal feel resembling what you might see in a note or a letter.
These excellent examples of handwritten font styles are from the opening sequence of the 1964 film Dr. Strangelove. These custom-type elements placed on top of the bomber plane create a uniquely ominous and eerie personal feeling at the same time. These designs do what great titles are supposed to do, which is to carry the message of the story that is about to unfold. The film is a sort of sardonic story about what could happen if the wrong person pushes the wrong button.
The hero text elements employed on this Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission website uses Besom 2 which is a spontaneous free spirited-looking handwritten brush font. The wet look of this typeface evokes a particular personal lively, in the moment kind of feeling. Next, we have a few splash screens from the NBC Beijing Olympics television broadcasts. The large featured text headlines look as though they could have been painted with a brush. These lively, bold, and easy to look at elements have a spontaneous hand-painted effect. Again the personal touch is employed, but this time with a flamboyant zest and evocative energy that exemplifies the essence of the Olympic games.
Wedding invitations often use handwritten typography. VinceandMarlene’s website uses a combination of fonts along with playful light-hearted hand-drawn elements. This project is a unique and fun vibe for their website. The personal feel of the fonts and the overall style make you want to interact with the site.
Next up in our line-up of classifications of typography we’ll be looking at the decorative category.
