The Hand is Back
Let’s start by putting an end to all handjob double entendre (as in the book title Handjob: A Catalog of Type by Michael Perry). But if you must, Wikipedia has a long entry devoted to it.
The hand is back. As if it ever left. Drawing, contrary to certain pundits and some rumors, was never entirely usurped by the mouse, wand, or joy stick, and handcrafted type, typography, and illustration is more vigorous and vibrant today than in the days when it was, in fact, the only option.
But here is the rub.
Handwritten, expressively drawn lettering — particularly the drop-shadowed, quirkily rounded-edged, shakily-lined variety, as opposed to traditional calligraphy — is perilously close to the veritable precipice, and on the proverbial edge of becoming an overused graphic design cliché. While style invariably breeds redundancy, this hand-wrought style is so easily (and pleasurably) used in place of rigidly conventional form, and it is found in so many print and internet venues that it may become an old hand-me-down too soon.
Steven Heller, co-chair of the MFA Design Program at the School of Visual Arts, is the author of over one hundred books, most recently Stylepedia: A Guide to Graphic Design Mannerisms, Quirks, and Conceits from Chronicle Books. Ben Weeks is grateful to spend his life loving people, making pictures by hand and with computers.
Remarks 21 total remarks were added before the post was closed.
Joey Pfeifer
I've also noticed this. The style is used (more recently) in the movie Juno.
I like the style, but it has its own place and purpose. It's certainly a fad; I just hope it doesn't become a design cliché due to its overuse.
frickinmuck
while I dislike the over-use of the shaky letter thing, I ADORE nate williams, and I'm a bit annoyed he's been singled out as the "bad example". that lettering style works with his illustration style, so context ruins any hope of your demonstrating where the problem lies. after all, the "internet venue" you link to is his portfolio.
Ben
For telling us to leave aside all handjob jokes, you certainly kept pushing the envelope on them throughout this article. =)
But I like the trend.
Nick Whitmoyer
Steven,
It was great to see you in DC the other week.
I've always like the handcrafted style particularly in moderation like so many other things. Even if it’s an overused graphic design cliché, it’s great to see something other than rounded corners and gradients.
-n!ck.
Marla Erwin
One of the best examples of how handwritten text can change the personality of the content is this flickr set of spam subject lines, re-written by hand into oddly charming works of art.
Ben
Also, funny site designed with this style.
Grant Blakeman
One of the things I think is interesting about the trend is how much it's being used in the digital world (web and motion) - almost as an effort to be less digital, more organic in a digital medium.
Rett
I gotta back up frickinmuck here that it's a little bothersome you've singled out one person to represent the hand-drawn type trend. Maybe it's the simple fact that if you google "hand drawn type" his portfolio pops up as number 1, but most of the images on his gallery page are actually better examples of hand-drawn type used in print media.
And while I agree that it's overused, there are certainly times when it's appropriate. I for one remind myself all the time that I shouldn't do something because it's a trend, and I shouldn't avoid something for the same reason. I just try to design things to best communicate the message.
By the way, here's a nice article showing a bunch of indie films that use hand drawn type.
Neil Brown
I believe the purpose of these 200 words by Heller are to, once again, point to the fact that "style breeds redundancy" and will quickly become tired –- just another design cliche. Not to single out any particular person.
Ben
I think this "trend" is only getting tired if all you pay attention to is the near-bleeding-edge. There is an ENORMOUS world of design happening out there that could use a little whimsy, and would benefit greatly from some hand-work. Sure, it's the flavor of the month, but I personally really doubt that it's teetering on the brink of cliché.
(and for what it's worth...it certainly didn't start with Napolean Dynamite...which ripped of several people's already mature styles.)
Jacob Halton
I agree, this is kind of a design fad nowadays. It's good because it encourages more illustration, which completely dropped off after 2001, but it's something I personally would probably never use.
The whole style is too hippie-ish, and even though it looks like it came from the low budget screen printing and hand made design scenes, apparently it's filtered into the mainstream. Just like all that hipster clothing in style now that looks like it was from a thrift store, but costs $200 for a pair of ripped super tight faded jeans.
What about the "new drop shadow" by the way.....that "ipod/motorolla" mirror reflection thing that people keep doing to type now?
Matt Hunsberger
I love this trend. The style may be becoming cliché, but the use of expressive lettering will persist. It seems that younger designers, such as myself, are showing particular interest in this. A lot of us have been educated thinking that the computer was the only option for creating design and welcome an opportunity to get away from it.
Neil Brown
Two things ...
1) This article, and many of Heller's, point out the simple fact of the difference between design and style. The purpose of design is to clearly communicate the message, without regard to a particular stylistic approach. The use of style will always breeds redundancy. Style is usually a crutch.
2) "A lot of us have been educated thinking that the computer was the only option for creating design" ... The computer is just another tool, no greater than the pen. The pencil and paper are the greatest tools of any designer. Anyone receiving an education where the computer is "the only option for creating" should transfer immediately. Graphic design has existed much longer than the computer.
Patrick
I thought that this style became cliché in 2005.
Fiona Clark
I <3 handwritten type.
Mike
I agree with Patrick. This style has been popular for quite a few years now. It is very "Urban Outfitters" to me. It will disappear soon enough.
paul merrill
As Joey said at the beginning, it's all because of Juno.
Eric
It's funny... many of the designers, artists and illustrators who's work I love really has a style. This style seems to be everywhere they go. Their style of drawing, designing, layout, or just plain thinking. Paul Rand is a good example.
I say UP with Style! I'm tired of boxes and arrows and Modernism 8.0. If your style includes hand-drawn letters, then so be it!
If something seems cliche, that's just cuz I'm overloaded with media saturation and corporate culture and our eyeballz can't take it anymore. 80% of all design is a cliche. Take this web site for example... mossimo vignelli sytle... thin lines, black and white and red...... very cool and collected, very black turtle neck... that's one style I like, but it's kinda dead and totalitarian. Sometimes being a graphic designer seems like a cliche. but it's what I like to do!
At least hand drawn type has some playfulness to it... I hope that style sticks around for a long time.
Nate Williams
I completely agree with Rett. You shouldn’t use or not use something (hand drawn type, a style, Photography, Illustration, Marketing tactic, etc) just because it’s a trend but because it helps you achieve your ultimate goal, helps communicate something in the right tone, makes it a quick read for audience, etc
I think Hand Drawn Type has had a surge in popularity lately (last 10 years) because it is a response to the high-tech boom (slick interfaces, 3d art, etc) So the pendulum has swung the opposite direction (naïve art, hand drawn type, etc). I experienced this first hand .. I was working as an art director marketing high-tech video games .. and although I loved the art .. I saw too much of it and craved the exact opposite.
I think eventually the pendulum will end up in the middle .. not leaning one way or the other .. but both styles (high-tech, niave) will just be one more option in art directors tool box
Mike Perry
To Quote Nick Swardson "A hand job is still a job."