alison tourville
design portfolio
SIX-WORD AUTOBIOGRAPHY A purely typographic and visual six-word autobiography, in which my name is the focal point of the composition
LETTERFORM The combination of one wq and one numeral into a single visual unit
SOCIAL AWARENESS POSTER A cartoon illustration on newsprint which focuses on the role of women in the Catholic Church
“Priest Club” of the Catholic Church
TYPE SPECIMEN BOOK A type specimen book based on the typeface Interstate, in the form of a map
Introduction Interstate is a sans serif typeface designed by Tobias Frere-Jones in 1993-1994. Based on interstate highway signage of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, this neo-grotesque typeface was designed using the original sign manual sketches and kerning tables published by the U.S. government. Today, the Interstate typeface has been expanded into a versatile range of display designs that includes 40
GD 2 INTERSTATE
Type Spec Book
fonts, 3 widths, and 7 weights. The typeface also offers a family of symbols inspired by traffic signs.
INTERSTATE is... an elegant sans serif in a modern setting an elegant sans serif in a modern setting an elegant sans serif in a modern setting an elegant sans serif in a modern setting an elegant sans serif in a modern setting an elegant sans serif in a modern setting
Purpose
Aa Interstate is based on roadway signs and is therefore optimal for signage usage. The characteristics of the typeface make it suitable for display usage in print and it is often a popular choice for newspapers, magazines, and online use. As a common typeface for highway signs on major U.S. roads, Interstate must be seen and read by U.S. drivers on a daily basis. Its simple, clean letterforms make it
Characteristics: • classified as late 19th century grotesque • shares basic proportions and attributes with faces like Helvetica and Univers
• modern font, has larger x-heights, less stress in rounded strokes, and no serifs
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more legible at various distances on the road.
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a
an elegant sans serif in a modern setting
terminals of ascending strokes are cut at an
an elegant sans serif in a modern setting
angle to the stroke
an elegant sans serif in a modern setting
terminals of curved strokes are cut at a 90° angle
an elegant sans serif in a modern setting
to the stroke counters are open, contributes to legibility at smaller sizes
Designer
History
Characteristics
“
The oblique terminals make the counterforms more open, thus performing better at smaller sizes and on rough paper stocks. The dynamic of each character, rather than pointing back at itself (as it would in Univers or Helvetica) points at its neighbors. The characters thus bind themselves more readily into coherent and readable word-shapes.
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designed under the direction of instructor Ingrid Hess
York, where he joined forces with typographer Jonathan
by the students of Graphic Design II at the University
Hoefler at The Hoefler Type Foundry, Inc. Since working
of Notre Dame during the spring semester of 2011.
its origins, Interstate was embraced universally
together, the two have collaborated on projects for major
by graphic designers and is considered the result
publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Martha Stew-
of Frere-Jones’ continuing interest in what he
art Living, GQ, The New York Times Magazine and Esquire.
calls “working class lettering.”
Their company continues to work with brand leaders in every sector today, developing original typefaces and licens-
This volume explores the use and origins of the Interstate typeface created by Tobias Frere-Jones in 1994. This book has been researched, designed, and edited
1
by Alison Tourville.
ing fonts from its library of nearly 1,000 designs.
”
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This type specimen book is one of a series of 11 books In 1999, Frere-Jones left Font Bereau to return to New
which was used by the US Federal Highway Administration for national road signs. Despite
Hoefler(left) and Frere-Jones (right)
Tobias Frere-Jones was an artist from a young age. He
– Tobias Frere-Jones
r
Colophon Tobias Frere-Jones
Interstate was first released in 1994 and was loosely based on the typeface Highway Gothic,
created paintings, sculptures and photographs at age 14. Tobias was born on August 28, 1970, in Brooklyn, NY to Robin Carpenter Jones and Elizabeth Frere.
Invesco Perpetual Sainsbury’s Supermarkets
He was raised in a family of writers and printers and quickly discovered a passion for type and letterform during his teenage years.
”
– Tobias Frere-Jones
Bibliography American Type Design & Designers by David Consuegra An A-Z of Type Designers by Neil Macmillan Font Bureau People: Tobias Frere-Jones http://www.fontbureau.com/people/TobiasFrereJones Interstate by Allan Haley Interstate - Fonts.com http://www.fonts.com/fontpackages/interstate-font-family.htm Is Gotham the New Interstate? by Dmitri Siegel
In 1992, Tobias received a BFA in Graphic Design from
signage for Southwest Airlines
“
The day we stop needing new type will be the same day that we stop needing new stories and new songs.
the Rhode Island School of Design. He drew the atten-
Wikipedia, Interstate Typeface http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_(typeface)
tion of Matthew Carter, a well-known typographer, who
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Hammersmith and West London College
directed him after graduation to the Font Bureau in Boston. Frere-Jones worked for 7 years at Font Bureau, where he eventually became a Senior Director. Tobias
2004 Weather Channel on-air newscasts
DEAD END
took part in the creation of 18 retail and 21 custom typeface families during his time at Font Bureau. His
2006 US Army “Army Strong” ad campaign
most notable typeface creations include Interstate, Gotham, Grand Central, and Benton Sans.
(Front)
I N T E RS T AT E (Back)
SOCIAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN A visual campaign to promote the connection between poverty and education in the United States for the “Poverty Ties to Education” event on-campus
In St. Joseph’s county
Poverty ties TO EDUCATION
Poverty ties TO EDUCATION
YOUR DONATION HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON A CHILD IN NEED.
YOUR DONATION HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON A CHILD IN NEED.
Thank You
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TIE YOURSELF TO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.
Thank You
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TIE YOURSELF TO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.
19.7%
of children ages 5-16
LIVE IN POVERTY
In 2.2 miles from campus
54%
of students are on the
FREE LUNCH PROGRAM at Perley Elementary
Poverty ties TO EDUCATION
Poverty ties TO EDUCATION
YOUR DONATION HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON A CHILD IN NEED.
YOUR DONATION HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON A CHILD IN NEED.
Thank You
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TIE YOURSELF TO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.
Thank You
FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TIE YOURSELF TO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.
text 89413 to donate $5
TO HELP MINIMIZE TUITION FOR A CHILD IN NEED
Balloon hang tags (left) and signs to promote the event (right)
At St. Adalberts Elementary,
~40/160
of students are on
FREE TUITION VOUCHERS
In 2.4 miles from campus
56%
of students are on the
FREE LUNCH PROGRAM
at James Madison Elementary
tie yourself to
SOMETHING WORTHWHILE Did you know that poverty ties to education? Here at Notre Dame we live less than 5 miles from schools with children that live under the poverty line. You can help by donating today!
HISTORY OF CUPCAKES A research project on the history of cupcakes; presented as an illustrated book
Example spreads from the book
2012 NATIONAL STUDENT ADVERTISING COMPETITION A branding and communications campaign to promote the Nissan brand; developed by a team of seven students and presented to a panel of judges
Example pages from the team plan book
Print advertisement (left), Tumblr page (top right), Twitter page (bottom right)
SOUTH AFRICA CAMPAIGN An educational and promotional campaign to address xenophobia in South Africa; this senior-level project was executed in Johannesburg in March 2012
COMMUNITY MURAL
Campaign logo (top left), mural silhouette (bottom left), Mural Kit cover (right)
Design team with the community mural in South Africa (bottom)
CONTACT Alison Tourville 201–787–1714 atourvil@alumni.nd.edu be.net/alisontourville