chris gilbert designblog » Typography 2

Term 1- Total Recall

Chris — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:32:53 +0000

So I am well and truly underway with my Art Center career. Term 1 ended, and not only is it a “job done,” but if I might be so brave, I’ll go ahead and say it was a “job well done.”

I learned so much from my classes, but even more from the experiences, and most importantly, the people. I met new friends, conversed with strangers, picked up hitch hikers, and mingled with legends. I visited museums, tried new hole in the wall restaurants, shopped for dead people stuff, and opened my home to revelry!

I have never before felt like I’ve belonged in a place and time more than right here, right now. Thanks, Art Center School.

Typography 2: Project 1

Chris — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:50:28 +0000

Spread from my book about the Type Family: Clearview. (Click to enlarge)

This is a spread from a book I made from a research paper about the typeface Clearview, which is being designed to replace the Highway Gothic font family on road signs across America.

It was a really cool project, and as I’d mentioned earlier, I got to work with the actual typographer behind the project, James Montalbano… He graciously licensed me the font for free, a $1000+ value! So cool. Full text of the book is available upon request. Pictures of the completed book forthcoming!

Way overdue Art Center appreciation post

Chris — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:54:52 +0000

Wow. Art Center is incredible. This post will be an uncensored love fest, so it might not be for the squeamish or faint of heart. Impressionable minors would do well to avert their gaze.

Advertising History? Bob Matsumoto is my teacher. It helps that the teacher teaching advertising history actually made advertising history himself. He also is going to get Lee Clow to come talk to us. SERIOUSLY?! Yes.

Communications design? Lou Danziger is one of my teachers? Are you freakin’ kidding me? AIGA Medalist. You can’t make this stuff up, kids. Living legend.

Design 1? Cutting out shapes, and x-actoing my finger? Check. More upset about blood on project than own bodily harm? Check… And a critical phase of the Art Center sickness. “Oh god I cut my finger horribly” is not in my lexicon, but “Shit, I actually have to redo this now… Oh well it will be better the second time around!” totally is.

Typography 2: I have done a research paper on “Clearview,” the font that is going to replace Highway gothic on roadsigns across America. The icing? I’ve been in contact with James Montalbano, the font’s lead typographer, and he gave me a free license of the font in order to complete my project… Amazing. Plus it looks halfway decent. I’m moving up in the world. The final iteration of the project will be a stunning 8 page book. Get psyched!

It just keeps getting better and better. I’m making cool work, and meeting amazing new people- In addition to reconnecting with old friends, too. Go figure! Nick Arciaga, a buddy of mine that I hadn’t really seen since middle school goes here, and we’ve already connected, had lunch, and he invited me to a party this Friday… Did I mention I love this place?