Vernacular typography, or in more simple terms everyday
typography such as street art and hand rendered text, is what inspired the hero
of today’s lecture SO-ME. A Parisian graphic designer/animator who is now the
art director of Ed Banger records was greatly influenced by this sort of
typography being a graffiti artist back in Paris.
Handwritten text always has a personality that
computer-generated texts lack which is why he gets his inspiration from the
most artistic form of typography that is graffiti. The album covers he has done
for Ed Banger are different but at the same time united by a particular aesthetic
which he explains as being “so me”.
When asked what he was influenced by, he replied, “The
awkwardness of non-designers who happen to design at some point for some
reason. Like a restaurant sign made by a cook. Its like a child’s drawing. Someone
who doesn’t ‘know’ the rules usually creates something beautiful, almost
perfect.”
Just like his influences, he has created a different style
for himself and Ed Banger records, which is quite unique and individual. He has
worked with some of the big names such as Kanye West and MGMT and is sought
after by many others. As the example shows, his work reflects influences of
Andy Warhol and pop art, using the same idea of limited colour palette red,
blue and white creates a strong message. It also has the reference to prison
tattoos, creating a strong visual image with the clean text, colour palette and
image.
Even in the graphic toolkit, we were told of the importance
of handwritten text as opposed to computer generated ones that have no life and
personality whereas that created has far more depth in its unfinished state. Vernacular
typography gives one the flexibility to play around with different styles
without being restricted to one as well as creates a beautiful and unique piece
of art on its own. Here are some other examples of work by So-Me who has
succeeded in creating his own iconic style which has made his very famous and
sought-after.
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