A Typeface a City Can Call Its Very Own
February 17, 2012 | No Comments
Looks like Chattanooga, Tennessee is gonna be the first American city to have its own typeface, and it looks like it’s gonna be a really good one. What a brilliant idea for a city in the midst of deep redefinition economically and culturally. Even more: Chatype is a grassroots initiative, started and upheld by Chattanoogan (good word) branding/identity agency D+J, in league with (also local) typographers Robbie deVilliers and Jeremy Dooley.
Really smart and inspiring stuff, and makes an interesting point about typefaces and identity apparent: while everyone is busy focusing on logos as the centerpieces of identity expression, a unique, own-able typeface can at times do more, be more places, and be more versatile than a logo. Maybe we’re all a little too content to ‘make do with what we got’ with respect to type design.
Something to chew on and keep in mind for upcoming identity projects, for sure. Not to mention all of the things that could help our own little identity-starved municipality.
But back to Chatype. Check out the video below, the D+J page for Chatype, and a supreme write-up from GOOD. For that matter, head over to their Kickstarter page and throw them some bones to make it a sure thing. It won’t just be good for Chattanooga. It’ll be good for design, type – and why not throw in the U. S. of A. while we’re at it. Yeah, do it for your country too.
Word up to @howowc for the Chatype tip. Good lookin’ out.
Chew chew,
- BZ
Tags: Chattanooga > Chatype > urban design