Resource List: Typography inspiration for brand design
Written by Aidan Searle RGD, Hood & Searle Design Inc.
When I start designing a brand, I typically begin by getting to know the client and the business they’re in.
On-site visits are wonderfully helpful, research is necessary and, after all the preliminary process stuff, you can move on to "solving the riddle".
Since I love type, I usually start by researching which fonts might work best for the project. I think it’s important to have historical context with the font choices. They should tie into the brand story, the founder’s vision and the history of the product and its uses in culture.
Here are a few typographic resources I use when I start building a brand.
Fonts in Use
This font database is an indispensable resource for me. I like how you can search based on “topics/formats”.
They are also very active with updating their homepage with new “staff picks”. When you click on a font you like, you can also see where to buy the font.
Typographica.org
This online publication and critical review journal is dedicated to typefaces, type design and typographic books. I recently stumbled upon their specimen books of metal and wood type, a directory of antique type foundry catalogues. This resource has been indispensable to me!
Rookledge's International Typefinder: The Essential Handbook of Typeface Recognition and Selection
Since buying it a few years back, this has become my go-to book when starting branding projects. I love seeing the type on the printed page. I is very well organized and easy to skim. Copies are available to buy online in digital or analog format.
Here is a breakdown from the Fonts in Use team on the typography choices for the book's 1991 edition.
Archive.org
When I talk about this site, I am surprised by how many folks don’t know about it. There is so much here for inspiration and research. Here is a link to their font specimen book section. There is just so much to dig through on this wonderful site. Happy searching!
Aidan Searle RGD
Hood & Searle Design Inc.
Aidan Searle is a Dartmouth, NS-based graphic designer, multidisciplinary artist, and entrepreneur. He has worked with big companies and small companies. He considers himself very lucky to be able to pick up a pencil every morning and make things for people.
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