TYPE HEAD The publication for everyday type enthusiasts
An inside look into the 80’s revolutionary icon.
Issue 1 July 2017 | $4.90
is more than just a few tricks to the eye. It’s a few tricks to the brain.”
Ty p o gra p h er
“Design
Born in Southgate, London in 1957, Neville Brody began his creative career at the Horney College of Art where he studied fine art, however he did not pursue a career as a painter as he felt that his work wouldn’t get recognised to a large audience and wanted to design on a much wider platform. His next educational endeavour would take place at the London College of Printing, where he studied graphic design. His approach to design was not always favoured by his tutors which they deemed “uncommercial”. The work he produced was very extreme for the time period and didn’t follow traditional methods like most other designers. He was almost kicked out of college at one point for placing an image of the queen’s head on it’s side for a post stamp design.
Bounce Nike Campaign Image Source: http://amuellergds102.blogspot.com.au
“The way something is presented will define the way you react to it.”
During the 70’s, Brody’s work had a strong influence on the punk scene that transcended in the era, also he cited dadaism and pop art as other notable inspirations in which he based his first year thesis on the comparison between the two movements. Designing album covers for artists such as Cabaret Voltaire and The Bongos were some of his first major projects before working on other mediums. As his career developed in the 80’s he would go on to work as an Art Director for two magazines, ‘The Face’ and also ‘Arena’, providing his ambitious style for both publications. The way he experimented with type by applying methods such as stretching letterforms and placing type at the edge of the page were risky choices, but he managed to skilfully make it work. His use of typography in the publications had a riveting effect of people and would earn him TYPE HEAD P2
The Face Magazine 1985 Image Source: https://www.luerzersarchive.com/en/magazine/interview/neville-brody-142.html
Arena Magazine 1988 Image Source: http://newmanology. tumblr.com/post/26556562184/arena1988-on-the-cover-michael-caine-art
much acclaim. He would treat type in the same manner as images, he would use principles such as colour, space, scale and proportion to attract the viewer’s eyes to the most important parts of the page. The feat he accomplished on these publications would pave the way for many other publications to test this level of playfulness and experimentation.
u/2010/12/just-bounce-it.html
Free me from freedom poster Image Source: http://inkbotdesign.com/ neville-brody/
He would later begin to design his own typefaces in the late eighties as the world entered digital type design. This achievement would later manifest into a publication called ‘Fuse’, a publication focused on experimental typography and fonts which he worked on with fellow graphic designer Jon Wozencroft. Other notable identities Brody has designed for are BBC, Guardian newspaper and champagne brand Dom Pérignon. In 1987 he established ‘The Studio’ in London, his memorable designs would later find a platform on the world wide stage, being commissioned by big organisations such as Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin, Greenpeace and the Dutch postal service. Brody has created many font families that incorporate his signature style and have been used in many different mediums of design. He has developed 24 font families which can be purchased online, some of his most acclaimed fonts are Industria, Insignia, Gothic and Blur. Today Brody still operates as a graphic designer, his recent accomplishments include redesigning the BBC, The Times and the formation of a new font, Times Modern.
D es i g n e r
“The way something is presented will define the way you react to it.”
Industria Poster 1989 Image Source: https://www.behance. net/gallery/Typeface-Promotional-Pieces/436751
TYPE HEAD P3
“Typography is a hidden tool of manipulation within society”
Publication made and designed by Josh Ankers
Image Source: https://alchetron.com/Neville-Brody-198296-W