A great piece (via Kottke) all about the creation of typography for the London Underground.

The typeface that had helped inspire Eiichi’s choice was, of course, Johnston Sans – a typeface created by Edward Johnston and unique to the London Underground. It was this that had helped motivate him into becoming a typographer and this that, upon graduation, had helped ensure that when Colin Banks (one of his course assessors and the “Banks” part of Banks & Miles) offered him a job working on a new typeface, he had leapt at the chance.

It was also this typeface, Colin Banks finally told him upon his arrival at Banks & Miles, that Eiichi would be working on.

He had been hired to redesign Johnston Sans.

“That morning,” says Eiichi, “was a bit of a shock.”

It gets better from there.  LINK.

Raise your hand if you’re surrounded by people who don’t understand of the value you put into your work.

Systemic Brian sends in this article from NYTimes.

Seeing the clean, crisp shapes of those letters and numbers at station entrances, on the platforms and inside the trains is always a treat, at least it is until I spot the “Do not lean …” sign on the train doors. Ugh! There’s something not quite right about the “e” and the “a” in the word “lean.” Somehow they seem too small and too cramped. Once I’ve noticed them, the memory of the clean, crisp letters fades, and all I remember are the “off” ones.

It’s a really interesting read and explains a lot about how it feels to have to get a headache every time you walk into a bookstore. I don’t know much about Alice Rawsthorn but I think we’re on the same page. LINK.

very day, Jessica Hische beautifully illustrates a letter to be used as a drop cap. Wonderfully diverse and unique illustration and typography all at the same time. And a new one every day! I’m pretty enticed by the whole thing, I gotta say.  LINK.

If you ever see cool stuff like this, let me know through systemcomic at gmail, and I’ll post it on the site and give you credit.  It’s what we’re all about here at Rosscott, Inc.

Systemic Chibby sent me (via systemcomic at gmail dotcom) this article on great typeface links throughout the Internets.  It’s got lots of resources on finding out “what font is this?” to making ones from your handwriting.  Thanks, Chibby!  LINK.

For those type nerds out there (you aren’t alone, I do sell a shirt called HELLvetica) here is a great joy.  For too long, Mrs. Eaves, a wonderfully fun and delicate serif font, has had no partner.  It has been alone in the cosmos, pining for a sans serif which it could call its own.  Look no further, Mrs. Eaves.  Your husband is home!

Emigre has just created a partner typeface to Mrs. Eaves, known as Mr. Eaves (clever, I know).  It’s nice.  They also included my name and one of my favorite meals in one of the type samples, so I’m happy.  LINK.

And how did Mrs. Eaves get that name?  It’s a funny story, actually. Via Wikipedia:

Licko’s selection of the name Mrs Eaves reveals an interesting story. Like his types, Baskerville was, himself, a controversial character. He hired Sarah Eaves as his housekeeper. Eventually her husband Richard abandoned her and their five children, and Mrs Eaves became Baskerville’s mistress and eventual helpmate with typesetting and printing. On the death of Mrs Eaves estranged husband, she married John Baskerville within the month. Selection of the name Mrs Eaves honors one of the forgotten women in the history of typography.

I talk about this more (with links to articles and things) here.

Ikea has used Futura everywhere for as long as anyone can remember.  In a story that is apparently causing quite a fuss, they are changing all their typography over to Verdana.  (Show of hands, who no longer cares about what I’m talking about?)  Here’s the issue:  Verdana is a web font, designed to be used online and work well with degrading pixel sizes.  It is NOT designed for this sort of thing, but then again Interstate isn’t meant to be used in posters.

TIME MAGAZINE:  All about the issue.

TYPOPHILE:  See some type designers REALLY get into it.

ONLINE PETITION:  To stop the madness.

I can’t decide if I care about this or not.  Some graphic designers really do.  Do you?   NOTE: You don’t have to be a graphic designer to answer.

HELVETICONS.  I really really want this set of dingbat / symbol icons (The System always needs new characters) but know I can’t afford it.  Link.