typografika

A STEP TOO FAR?...

In the eternal quest to bring you full typografikal enlightenment in every moment and aspect of your life, we give you -  the stair riser - the most utilitarian of blank canvases....

As ever, the creatives out there have already realised the potential of this surface we see every day, be it in the home with a well-loved saying......

                              

In a public space like the LA Central Library pictured below...

 

In a retail space....can't trace where these stairs are,..anyone know?but each riser has a line from The Doors 'Hello I Love You'. Maybe a record shop?....

                                          

 

If you're more of a numbers person and like that industrial look.......

                                         
Or you prefer something a bit more frivolous from Gallagher Designs of Portland....

 

More the sophisticated and clever type?......'Dont expect' on the risers as you go up. 'People to change' on the tread as you go down. Design by Sagmeister and Walsh

 

Or the straight from the heart with a rustic twist? This is a quote from Tasso and says 'Lost is all the time that you do not spend in love'.  

                                             

The humble stair riser is obviously a vastly overlooked area of potential...

 

So we at typografika want to see more stair risers living up to their full creative potential. Do you have typografikally enlightened steps in your area?  Or maybe you've given your staircase that full creative treatment. Is it time to jetison the tufted wilton and spurn the coir runner? Let us know if you've gone that step too far!...

We're at;

www.typografika.co.uk

info@typografika.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/typografika

https://twitter.com/typografikal

 

Armenian Typefaces

We came across this fascinating site some time ago and were bowled over by the beauty of Armenian typefaces. Like everything that is good in life, we think it's worth revisiting.

There is growing concern in Armenian communities that the language is being used less. From the monumental to the mundane and everyday, it really is worth a look... go to http://armenotype.com/images/

A Variety of Type for your Inspiration and Delectation (!)

Here at the Temple of Typografika, from time to time we see posters and examples of type that we squirrel away in files, thinkng that we'll have a good look at them later.

We imagine that at some point in the day, the opportunity will present itself and we will lean back in a leisurely manner, sipping something chilled and we'll peruse and appreciate these fine pieces of work as they should be appreciated. Of course this never happens and the files become fuller and we wonder why so much space is taken up by hundreds of images that we never look at.

So with this in mind, we at typografika would like to share some of these images with you lovely enlightened people - so choose a tranquil interlude in your day, lean back in a leisurely manner and enjoy these.....we especially like the first one..  

Les robes geographiques

We recently posted some of these beautiful images on our facebook page - they're made by artist Elizabeth Lecourt. The use of different types of map is interesting - but are they paper or are they printed onto fabric? Many (us included) love maps as we love letters..... maybe thats a trend waiting to explored by the fashion industry.....

DANTE'S INFERNO WITH SHOES

As the summer slowly fades and the intermittent drizzle turns to torrential stair rods at the Temple of typografika, we have noticed, dear disciples of the typeface, that as sure as the seasons change and night follows day, a certain time of the year is almost upon us. I suppose you could call it a happy time, in the same way that gladiators would call waiting to go into the arena and experience their own imminent grisly death, a happy time. YES! Its almost time for 'back to school' shopping. 

Of course the simplest and most enjoyable way to accomplish this task is to order beautiful and practical items like this Alphabet lunch bag -  £4.10 www.typografika.co.uk - and also gain some typografik enlightenment into the bargain. However the more mundane uniform items still need to be purchased and here we are talking pure misery for all involved.

OH! how we laugh and sing as we make our way down the winding mountain track from the Temple above (do you see what I'm doing there?, I'm being sarcastic). In truth the atmosphere on the mule train is somewhat solemn and in certain cases plain petulant. (Mr S. certainly doesn't see the necessity of school clothing over the offprings usual loin cloths and can usually only be persuaded to accompany us on these trips with the small incentive of a hip flask containing his favourite cocktail, which is presently Red diesel and pineapple -  or do I mean red bull? - no its definitely red diesel).

There follows endless hours in the supermarket, filling the trolley with all things grey, teflon coated and trousery in order to take full advantage of the '16 for the price of 15' special offer. We load up teetering piles of polo shirt multipacks, when they don't even have a school polo team, as Mr S. insightfully points out and purchase industrial quantities of grey socks. It is then and only then, time for the nadir of utter misery that is - the visit to Clarks. If you've lead a good and blameless life and therefore have never experienced this, think 'Dantes Inferno with shoes' .

Take a ticket in the first circle of hell and join the queue of despair, waiting, as your children fidget and squabble. In an effort to relieve the boredom and subsequent chinese burns, you might take your children to the display, to select which style they might prefer from the 'range' of identical black, flat shoes on offer. After much shouting, passionate accusations of copying and explaining several times why the headmaster takes a dim view of his boys wearing Lelli Kellys, we return to our post and wait. But NO...NO, NO this cannot be... this is after all, England! Didn't that family come in after us?, why are they getting served before us? Don't they know theres a queue?...'Wake up Mr.S, there's skullduggery and queue jumping afoot!'.

When the police have left, cautions have beeen accepted and Mr.S has been sedated and left to nap over by the 10% off boots and galoshes, we wait, eyeing everyone suspiciously, as everyone eyes us suspiciously. Then - our number is called - OH jubilation! we cheer and weep and embrace each other with unbridled joy - we're on the last lap now.

Feet are measured, and after several attempts, we have a size! Oh life is GOOD! Its then usually implied that as the children have been forced to wear their present wrongly sized shoes until now, its miraculous that they can even walk and haven't been stunted forever!. Which style do we have in mind? No they don't have Lelli Kellys with Darth Vader on... I nervously enquire about the flat black style... They dont think they have either size in that style but they'll check the stockroom. - We wait.- Apparently they don't have any of those flat black shoes at all in the boy's sizes but do have these flat black shoes at double the price.  As I begin to point out that they are almost identical to the others, being simultaneously 'flat' and 'black'; I'm reminded by the foetus serving me, that my children will curse my name and memory forever, as they spend the rest of their lives, feet hideously deformed, limping, gollum-like, in the shadows, if I fail to buy these shoes- NOW!.

 

After a couple of telephone calls to arrange the sale of Mr S.s other kidney, we have collected the bags containing the shoes, but OH NO- its an ambush!. Do we have 'waterproof wax and shine protector with kryptonite' at home?.. No but we have shoepolish.... Does it contain kryptonite?...  Then I foolishly try to lie.. Its very forcefully implied that if thats a lie and the polish doesn't contain kryptonite, the shoes will disintegrate on the first contact with the ground... 'IM SORRY, IM SORRY PLEASE FORGIVE ME, JUST LET ME BUY ALL THE STUFF ON THE SHELVES AND EVEN THE SHELVES THEMSELVES...JUST PLEASE LET ME LEAVE,- I IMPLORE YOU,- BEFORE I MISS ANYMORE BIRTHDAYS!!' I sob... 

We'll leave the store, blinking in the sunlight, filling our lungs with deep breaths of fresh air - the world looks different but somehow better - sweet liberty!

We''ll carefully wend our way back up the steep slope to the Temple. As the mules struggle under the weight of the spray polish cans, waterproof dubbing, buff leather shine wax, shoe stretchers, extra gentle polish cloths, extra abrasive cleaning scrubs, comfy night shoe cushion, heel grips, extra strong laces and suede softness preservative. The shoes in their boxes will be safely strapped to a mule each, while the children follow, on their malformed and twisted feet.  And I, dear followers, will be making a couple of telephone calls. I hear that spleens are 'this years thing' in Saudi and we still have winter coats to get...

And if you're thinking that surely it must be worth it for quality shoes that last....this is how they end their lives - after a whole three weeks of faithful service.

For up to date news of further typografikal enlightenment and gorgeous things -  'like'  us on http://www.facebook.com/typografika or join in the drivel on http://www.twitter.com/typografikal 

MAY KITTENS

There was recently a flurry of birthdays at the Temple of Typografika. Many of us at the temple have our 'special day' in May. In times of yore, apparently, kittens born in the month of May were drowned as it was thought they were feeble runts. That more or less gives you an idea of the standard of our gene pool then...

My birthday in particular was very pleasant and brought me all manner of goodies and loveliness, as I believe I deserve, even if no one else does. So at the risk of sounding like Julie Andrews, here are a few of my favourite things... 

Birthday cards designed around type of course......you just can't beat a spot of letterpress.....

Sadly no handmade cards from the offspring this birthday. Not after the Mothers Day fiasco (see previous post)...........I don't think my nerves would have stood it......

 

Retro AND type-yaaaay. I remember this ditty from my childhood, around the time we had emerged from the caves. The Ed 'stewpot' Stewart Show - a stalwart of many a childs Saturday morning routine, had this as a jingle, sung by some 7 year old oik. Probably serving life now....wonder if he still sings it....

Some of my favourite fragrance from Tokyo Milk....

I'll hide this bottle away. Mr S. has to understand that its not for killing ticks on the Temple Primates.

As a certain redhead I know, says...'I can resist anything but'...violet creams.......

Yes, they do look more than a little manky, but that because I nibbled the crystallised violets off before I took the photo. Of course because I ate all of those its highly unlikely I'll fit into this...............

another favourite thing.......the Lakota skirt from White Stuff........and a very thoughtful friend gave me this........a beaded bracelet that matches........I think thats known as serendipity......

 .....and the offspring apparently dug deep into their money boxes and gave me these beautiful white lilies..

 

Thanks to my friends and family for making my birthday extra special and Happy Birthday to all you other May kittens, especially those who aren't with us and the fantastic Ms's Baker and Bibby who are.

MAY KITTENS ROCK!!!!!!!

Other items of loveliness not featured on this page can be found on

www.typografika.co.uk 

THIS IS NOT JUST ANY EASTER.....

We had a lovely Easter here at the temple, dear acolytes. Just for a change we actually had all the right ingredients!. So if you'll humour us (as you usually do), imagine this post spoken in the smooth, caramel tones of a famous evocative ad. for a well known store, starting in 'M' and ending in 'Spencer'. Brace yourself peeps..... 

Here at the Temple of typografika, we don't just 'do' Easter- we source the most warmly colour-drenched spring displays...

..... marinade them in spring sunshine for several days...

Add a dash of concentrated love, happy memories and birthday greetings for Mum.......

 

..then a pinch of sweetness........

 

..... maybe a bit more.....you've got to have sweetness at Easter...

 

Which brings us to.. er...... this......

This is no ordinary Easter - this is a typografika Easter.............

....and I'm sure I can see a smirk on that little monkeys face. You honestly can't get the models these days...bet M&S don't have these problems.

For more of our masterplan to become the next Marks & Spencer (not) click on;

http://www.typografika.co.uk or follow us on http://www.facebook.com/typografika

THE MOTHER OF ALL DAYS

As we have revealed to the world on Facebook, last minute, low effort Mothers Day preparations are within the reach of everyone, (everyone that is, typografikally enlightened of course, the rest of you unbelievers can make your own arrangements); and what is more heartwarming and traditional than breakfast in bed for Mum, surrounded by her golden haired cherubs, with a freshly picked flower on the tray, a cup of her refreshing, favourite tea or coffee served in a delicate fine china cup and saucer, and some lovingly prepared toast with an affectionate message pressed in to it and perhaps some accompanying butter and preserves?. We can provide that unique little toast message with our 'Best Mum Toast Stamp' only £3.00 and potentially the source of GAZILLIONS of brownie points in the maternal mind.

What we cannot provide however, is the rest of the idyllic scene.

The last Mothers Day here at the Temple of typografika started quite promisingly with the delivery of the traditional breakfast tray to the bedside. Things started to get slightly tense when the offspring couldn't agree who would be the one to set the tray down on the bed. Some rather harsh words and subsequently the full small- boy catalogue of scatological references were exchanged, but the tray was eventually set safely down. I checked to make sure there were no raisin's garnishing the meal (as mentioned in previous posts, raisins are a no-no at the temple as the temple monkeys are not fussy about where they perform their ablutions, and quite frankly my eyesight isn't as good as it was - divine typografikal goddess or not) I wonder if specsavers do discounts for deities?.

The offspring then began to present me with their carefully made cards and tokens - but sadly the struggle to be the first to show me, resulted in a garishly coloured card with heavily glued tissue paper balls on the front, being shoved forcefully up my nose and one of the (apparently) flower's dropping off. Weeping, wailing and overturned trays ensued.

Now don't get me wrong, as a sect here at the temple (we actually come under the 'dodgy and weird sect' section in the census 2011), we like a bit of weeping and wailing every now and again, but this was the weeping and wailing of a six year old that believes his fine piece of handcrafted object d'art has been destroyed beyond repair and that only the pain of the philistine who perpetrated this, will be of any comfort.

When I had prised his little fingers from around the throat of his older brother, and I had dispatched them to find their father,  I settled back to enjoy my breakfast.  I managed to extricate half a slice of the face -down buttered toast from the duvet cover and slid the soggy remains of the other half into Mr S's pyjama trousers next to me on the bed, (he'll just think its his skin condition's erupting again). I then poured the cold tea, now filling the saucer, back into the cup. As I ate my half a slice of toast, picking off what looked like Mr S's body hair as I ate, I could hear the offspring in the far chambers of the temple giggling and whispering to each other (probably collecting monkey 'raisins' to pop into the open mouth of their napping father), and I contentedly settled down to drink my tea knowing they were happy. That was when I discovered the whereabouts of the tissue paper flower....

We at the Temple hope that however you spend your Mothers Day you enjoy it and those last minute gifts(including toast stamps) for gazillions of brownie points are available at www.typografika.co.uk

WHAT IS IT?

I noticed this on a shelf at the Temple this morning. I thought I'd share it with you. Well actually, it was originally sitting in thick black sludge which I managed to empty down the sink and then shook the really stubbornly thick bits out. Et Voila! I was left with this beauty...

Its incredible isn't it? hideous but hypnotic, a bit like John Prescott, naked, I should imagine .....I know you're probably wondering what it is and to be quite honest I am too....

I am fascinated by it. Is it the innards of an exotic ampersand sacrificed at the Temple in the eternal quest for typografika enlightenment?......

The offspring think its 'cool' in the way only small boys can. Offspring- Minor wants to keep it as a friend (mental note; we must find him some real children to play with and stop telling him the Temple monkeys are hairy Year 1's). He obviously believes its extra-terrestrial. Maybe it is. After a few gaviscon and brandies (his favourite tipple), Mr S. claims he can see strange figures 'not from this world' - but hey,..if he will watch Jeremy Kyle in that state .

Offspring-minor thinks it may be a dragon or a sea-creature. Maybe it is...Nigella can be quite demanding in her ingredients and I don't like to deviate from the book...

What I do know for certain is that it doesn't want to leave its bottle.

No matter how much I shook.....and jiggled......and shouted...... ...

It just wants to stay put. So there it sits.......

I'll be sleeping with a blunt object near me tonight (apart from Mr. S' s head)

I've seen those 1950's sci-fi films where a big slimy blob takes over the world. It could be making itself a sandwich as I write. Having said that it could make me one too...and look after the offspring... and tidy the Temple.

I'll call it Adam- no biblical connotation there -just another fat slimy blob I've known in the past.

I'm not entirely convinced I should admit to having something so questionable sitting in my kitchen. I should be blogging about how to make 'pretty things' and showing off my aspirational lifestyle. Never mind maybe next time.... thats if I'm not busy being Queen of the Universe, when Adam takes over...

THE COMPENDIUM OF TYPOGRAFIKA

We are currently in the grip of a cleaning frenzy at the Temple of typografika. When I say cleaning, I really mean discarding the posessions of the offspring and Mr S. to accommodate my own newly acquired things of loveliness. The charity shop lady screamed....actually screamed...(presumably with delight) when she saw Mr S.'s Y-front collection. Obviously a fellow collector of the foundation garment that keeps on giving. I daresay she washes her's though...

It was whilst I was prizing the fingers of the offspring from their toys that I espied a large and weighty book, secreted behind a column in an area of the temple that is rarely used (except by the temple monkeys). I wrestled with the conundrum for a while.... extra thick marigolds and a high dosage tetanus shot afterwards or...I deftly swang the bag of pork scratchings in my hand, into the darkness behind the column and watched as  Mr S. sped past me and hurled himself into the gloom, wheezing in a most unbecoming manner. He slid the tome out into the light with his foot and was lost to us for at least ten minutes, in the darkness, as he savoured the porcine bounty. I set about preparing the Milk of Magnesia for his return.

When at last the offspring had cleaned the book (it took their mind off the loss of their toys) and monkey urine can focus the mind for quite some time - (and the nostrils, what has Mr. S been feeding them?) - we gathered together in the central chamber of the temple to look at the ancient volume.

The offspring gasped as I opened the cover. Obviously the Jif hadn't quite done the job it was supposed to.

'Those aren't raisins Mr S., its monkey sh..' I offered, just too late, as he reached across to pick up and eat a handful of little epicurean delights that had rolled out from the spine of the book. I set about preparing some Milk of Magnesia for his return from the bathroom.

The book was fascinating. The title, skilfully tooled into the Keith Richards Brown hide, was 'The Ancient and Quite Mysterious Compendium of Typografika'. It was, in short, a treasure trove of typografikal delight and enlightenment.

Now I would like nothing better than to share that enlightenment with you, dear follower, but to share the knowledge all at once, with one not used to such delight and rapture, would result in madness (the sort of sweating, boggle-eyed madness that can follow being in Asda for too long). However I can impart some of the basic principles from the Compendium, at regular intervals, without your little brains exploding, so brace yourselves;

THE FIRST FIVE DUBIOUS AND MYSTERIOUS PRINCIPLES OF TYPOGRAFIK EDIFICATION

i) A really cool and stylish bag is very difficult to come by, so when you see one, whether for yourself or for a loved one, you must buy it straight away. Food isn't a necessity, (theres plenty of overflowing bins around) - bags are. Satchel - 39.99

 

 

ii) Men have only rudimentary olfactory organs and consequently no sense of smell. They therefore need to be given scented candles in specially blended gorgeous male fragrances to develop their withered glands. (and they can play with the box). Mens Candle - 12.99

 

 

 iii) Many ancient civilisations believed that the acquisition of a stylish new purse would bring great wealth. Ladies Wallet - 20.00

iv)To help us find 'the way' of enlightenment and keep us remembering where it is so we don't lose it, we need a big red funky sign to to help. The Way Sign -6.99

 

v) Coalition governments work really well.

To see more lovely things in a less dubious context and with absolutely no monkeys visit www.typografika.co.uk.