I got stoked on Typography and you can too (if you're at SXSW)

Posted Mar 12, 2010 // 2 comments

A few days ago, I sat in on a presentation on Typography from one of our designers, Samantha Warren. It was a run through of the talk she is giving today at SXSW. To be truthful, I wasn't that interested in typography before, but the talk really inspired me to rethink type everywhere I see it - from liquor bottles to cars to posters in the Metro.

While I respect great design immensely, having spent much of my career in news, I always fell back on the adage "content is king." I underestimated how much typography affected the emotion around the content. In her talk, Samantha showed great examples of type in everyday life...on cars...bourbon bottles...music posters, and pointed out that each example worked because it got your attention, and clearly conveyed emotion. She then told us about the future of typography on the web and some of the really amazing advances we will see in coming months.

Yes, I learned something new, but more importantly, I am struck by the importance of typography for any content heavy web site, whether news, government or public policy. Typography pushes your content even further, and can further convey important information.

Samantha is doing her presentation at SXSW this afternoon. If you are there, I hope that you can go and have your own epiphany on the importance of typography.