A CLINICAL COLLECTION OF IMPERFECTIONS. ERODED TYPOGRAPHY.
AARON J HOCKING
I’m weirdly in love with eroded typography, I love it’s perfect imperfection; something which couldn’t be replicated by computer or even hand. It all started about two years ago when I noticed some tape on an old wooden garden gate which had lost it’s stick and fallen off, leaving bits behind with curled up edges and created a completely different word, I’m still not sure what it was supposed to say – ever since I have been collecting imagery from my trips all over the UK. I have imagery from as far fetched as Fleetwood and York as well as Plymouth, Looe, London, Birmingham, Ipswich and of course Norwich. It’s been a passion, which has continued to grow; I often walk around looking up at buildings and at random objects looking for that something different to normality.
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Collection Collection of Eroded of Eroded Typography Typography
Majestic Bingo! Great Yarmouth
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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125 / 135 / 185 / 195 King Street Norwich
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Collection of Eroded Typography
Typography is used so much within our everyday life that it’s beauty often goes unnoticed. Since my collection started I have begun to appreciate typography in the way in which it was intended, so much thought goes into each design to help portray the right message more often that not in the correct manner. Right: Hollywood Bowl, Norwich
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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Collection of Eroded Typography
Magdalene Group Norwich
It’s rather intriguing how something so important and informative can go unseen, especially in the dark when arguably needed the most. Below Sloane Square Tube Station London.
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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Looses Antiques Norwich
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Collection of Eroded Typography
Dragon Hall Norwich
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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Collection of Eroded Typography
October 2014
Aaron J
‘No Parking’ Villa Park Hocking Birmingham
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“I do not think of type as something that should be readable. It should be beautiful.”
Ed Benguiat
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Collection of Eroded Typography
The Pottery Shop Polperro
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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This could be the only time I’ve ever appreciated seagulls! Above A Boat in the Harbour Looe Right Garden Gate Polperro
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Collection of Eroded Typography
This is the image that kick started my ‘fetish’. The ‘erison’ over time has helped it create a new identity albet a rude word.
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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The Harbour Polperro
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Collection of Eroded Typography
Looses Antiques Norwich
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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I’ve spent so much time waiting around at bus stops that I’ve begun to admire the typography which is painted on by brush. I’ve since found a time lapse video of a pair of workmen painting the type onto roads. It’s draw droppingly beautiful. Below London Victoria Coach Station Right Le Tour de France Begins Cambridge
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Collection of Eroded Typography
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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Parker’s Piece Cambridge
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Collection of Eroded Typography
Magdalene Street Car Park Norwich
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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I’m bewildered by my own passion, how can my practice be so clinical and neat yet I admire the messy, destroyed pieces of art that typography can become. It’s nice to step away from the computer every now and then, often my ideas have come from a piece of type I’ve seen on my travels and it’s been delightful that I’ve finally made my findings into a collection and not just an album of photos on a mac screen. Eroded typography will always be considered a thing of the past but it’s never been more modern; there are now thousands of fonts available online with a that have been digitally eroded, none of which can even slightly match the real thing – it’s not a constant, it’s forever changing it’s always different and that’s why I love it so much.
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Collection Collection of Eroded of Eroded Typography Typography
Magdalene Street Car Park Norwich
October 2014
Aaron J Hocking
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I’ve long been fascinated by eroded typography; I aim to use my collection as a reference point for future projects and design ideas. An eroded typeface is a thing of beauty; its new natural form is something that can’t be replicated no matter how good your Photoshop skills. It’s not precious; it’s neither clean nor clinical but something about it makes it perfect imperfection. My collection is there to be an eye opener, many people pass these works of art of a daily basis and take no care for their individuality and fascination.