VENDING MACHINE
PUBLIC TYPOGRAPHY
SARA MINOR
SOLD OUT
VENDING MACHINE PUBLIC TYPOGRAPHY
SARA MINOR
“A coin-operated machine for selling merchandise.� The definition of a vending machine has not changed much since the first vending machine was invented in the 1880s. Today’s vending machines still provide a convenient way to obtain merchandise. The main difference between today and the 19th century vending machines is how we, as consumers pay for the merchandise. Payment has evolved from coins to dollar bills to credit cards. Our society has come a long way from selling postcards and bubblegum, which were some of the first items sold out of vending machines.
There are two main factors that effect the way type is treated on vending machines. Standardization. Branding. Those two factors seem to pull vending machines in opposite directions. In this spectrum created by branding and standardization the machines that carry bigger brands only have the minimum amount of standard typography. The added element of advertising against the competition sitting right next to it is also a factor in this spectrum. The farther a machine is on the standard side of the spectrum almost eliminates the ability to compete with other brands. The relationship between branding, standardization, and advertising competition can be seen throughout the typography of vending machines.
our society has come a long way
from selling postcards and bubblegum.
Candy and toy machines fall on the side of standardization in the spectrum of branded and generic. The smaller machines only convey that single factor, the standard.
The bodies of the machines are often clear removing the necessity to over advertise, or advertise at all.
Often being privately owned the machines that grace the entrances of some establishments are small and to the point. The standard machines are usually sold privately and bought privately. Other than a simple indication of what type of toy or candy is housed in the clear container, the only other type on the machine is the indication of price and the name of the company who made the machine. The machines, like all vending machines are given the task of advertising against the competition that is sitting right next to it. These small machines are not very effective at this task. The low budget does not lend itself to advertising, rather the owner has to rely on the fact that most people have strong feelings about what candy they like to eat or what toy a child would like.
The Really Cherry bubblegum not only has to compete with the Spree candy next to it but also with toy machines and tattoo dispensers seen in this laundry mat.
the owner has to rely on the fact that most people have strong feelings about what candy they like to eat.
B Similar to candy vending machines, food vending machines dispense delicious and often unhealthy snacks. While these machines contain a number of standard elements, because of the products contained inside the amount of branding at work is also an important trait.
Like their smaller counterparts these machines contain a clear front that allows the consumer to immediately see what the machine contains.
the number of different products held behind the glass makes the advertising competition a battle for the customer’s attention.
The Miss Vickies brand carries two varieties of chips
in
this
vending
machine. While competing within the brand the chips are competing with the rest of the vending machine products.
Most of the instances of type are contained in the mandatory areas of the machine. The place where you put your money has the same typography that is contained on all machines, as do the numbers that a customer uses to choose a product and the typography that indicates where the change comes out. The amount of branding in these machines exists only in the products themselves. The clear glass front allows the products being sold to advertise for themselves to the extent of their packaging. The products have to compete directly with the products sitting right next to it. The standard nature of the machine would seem as if it would almost eliminate the branding side of the spectrum but it actually makes it more intense. The number of different products held behind the glass makes the advertising competition a battle for the customer’s attention. Food vending machines hit in the middle of the spectrum where branding and standardization coexist equally.
There are many different names for the carbonated and often caramel colored drinks that so much of America likes to drink. There are also many different types and styles of pop vending machines.
The whole of the machine is dedicated to identifying and advertising the brand that the machine is selling. This vending machine is dedicated to Coca-Cola products. Each type of soda pop acts like its own seperate brand with a seperate look and advertising strategy.
There is an overwhelming amount of brand choices when one wants to enjoy a refreshing soda. While most of the brands of pop differ greatly, there is still mandatory and standard typography that is on every machine. The place that you put you money into, the warnings on the machine and there are of the coin return are usually the same no matter what soda vending machine a person goes to. From there the main typographical differences are found on the front of the vending machine identifying what brand is housed inside. The pop machines fall on the branding side of the spectrum. The whole of the machine is dedicated to identifying and advertising the brand that the machine is selling.
With the addition of the machine lighting up at night these machines are almost impossible to ignore.
Each brand has its own defining characteristics that are seen directly in the vending machines. Coca Cola differs from Pepsi, Pepsi is different from Shasta, Shasta is different from Big K. The type that is on the front of these machines’ goal to get the customer to move over 12 inches and buy from a different machine. So in the pursuit of that persuasion the type found on pop machines is usually big and bold. With the addition of the machine lighting up at night these machines are almost impossible to ignore. Some display the characteristic color of the brand, red for Coca Cola and blue for Pepsi, while others show a can falling into a bath of ice trying to look refreshing. All of them have their brand name slapped on the front. These machines are only about fragrantly displaying what brand is contained inside.
Each brand has its own defining characteristics that contrast each other. The blue color of the Pepsi brand contrasts the general red colors of the Coca-Cola and Big K brands.
in the pursuit of that persuasion the type found on pop machines is usually big and bold.
There are still phrases on the machine that tell when an item is sold out, where to press to get your coins returned, or where to insert your money.
The machines still contain the regulation typography that all other vending machines contain. There are still phrases on the machine that tell when an item is sold out, where to press to get your coins returned, or where to insert your money. A main difference in these machines is how the customer chooses the product. On the smaller machines there is only one product to be chosen. On the bigger food machines numbers and letters are how the customer chooses the product. On pop machines each button continues to advertise the products contained. The buttons essentially have their own small add that the customer looks at when choosing. These tiny advertisements further add to the overall branding effect that the machine creates. While these machines still contain the standard information they squeeze in their brand in any available space.
The pop machine, while still selling a certain brand of soda, needs to instruct the customer on how to operate and interact with the vending machine.
redbox One of the newer vending machines on the market that has grocery stores closing their video sections across the nation is the Red Box. These boxes, that are all red, can be seen at grocery stores, Wal-Mart, and where they started, at McDonald’s.
the typography of the machine is different than all other machines.
The RedBox has unique ways of communicating with the customer that completely seperates it from other vending machines.
RedBox is at the farthest end of the branding spectrum. It does not even register on the standardization side. The fact that it is the only kind of DVD vending so far in the United States leaves nothing to compete with it. It is the standard and an engulfing form of the brand. From the red color of the box to the distinct typeface it is a complete branding of itself. The typography of the machine is different than all other machines. It still serves the function of informing the customer of price and the products but unlike other vending machines it has a touch screen with step-by-step instructions on how to purchase the products. It is an individual and a standard at the same time.
it still serves the function of informing the customer of price and the products.
It is the standard and an engulfing form of the brand. From the red color of the box to the distinct typeface it is a complete branding of itself.
RedBox, like most other vending machines, still has the same problem of advertising a bunch of different products all at the same time. More closely related to the food genre of vending machines the Red Box shows all of the DVDs that it is currently renting. Each of the DVDs advertises themselves against each other. Each is competing against the next, much like branded vending machines compete directly against each other.
Each is competing against the next much like branded vending machines compete directly against each other. The RedBox advertises 49 different movies that are each competing to attract the customer by a small picture of the movie cover.
Vending machines are convenient. They provide a solution to immediate thirst or hunger or that sugar fix you need. The functional nature of the machines seems to lend itself to the standardization the machine. Yet the whole point of a vending machine is to sell a product so branding is just as crucial. The purpose of all the vending machines’ typography is information. Whether that information tells it the item is sold out or what brand of pop the customer is purchasing, the typography is essentially there to inform the customer. With such a simple and direct purpose it is hard to be inventive with typography. Where the Red Box succeeds at this task, the vending machines on the standard side of fail.
They provide a solution to immediate thirst or hunger or that sugar fix you need.
CREDITS TYPEFACES Rockwell Trade Gothic Bold No. 20 Frutiger 55 Roman
CAMERA Canon Powershot SD850 IS
BIBLIOGRAPHY History of Vending Machine http://ezinearticles.com/?History-of-Vending-Machine&id=99988
TYPOGRAPHY III PATRICK DOOLEY FALLL 2009 THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
SOLD OUT: VENDING MACHINE PUBLIC TYPOGRAPHY