2
1783 Firmin Didot
This is a code. A simple code based on the English language, formed by singular monograms. Or characters. Its main concept and use aims to form a shorter way to communicate with text or sms. Therefore, the logic that supports its creation is to give shape to an easy way to memorize all the characters and meanings. But, more than the logic side, the aesthetic aspect has been the push for such imaginary research and work. The love for typography. This work doesn’t expect to solve a problem or to give an efficient method for sms communication. Technology constantly improves smart solutions to shorten the way of writing text. Even the concept of writing is rapidly disappearing since ones can simply talk to its device for composing messages. Despite that, the final shape is a typographic shape. Like in 1783, when the Didot typeface was engraved. Or like in 1957, when Helvetica was designed. Is this an accomplished work? Difficult to say. So many more characters could be designed to display a wider range of actions, places, emotions. Let’s say that we just had the pleasure to give shape to an idea and give a typographic style to it. For a simple reason we already mentioned. The love for typography.
This book can be considered a dictionary. A very unusual dictionary, actually, since it doesn’t have a proper index and very littlae discipline in displaing its monograms. This is a smal provocation (or a fancy creation) in order to point out the mere typographic work in character design. This project, which is far to be completed and far to be usefull in everyday usage, is a gesture of passion. It makes us a bit closer to the amazing skills of all the printers and engravers of western tradition who shaped every single printed word of our culture. And History starts with the silent rumble of the first designed word. Monsieur Firmin Didot and Herr Max Miedinger are two of them. We thank both very much.
Bangkok
| 2009 december
Torino
| 2013 june
6
This is a design work that gives shape to monograms for SMS communication. This book is composed by two parts where the same theory has been developed on the styles of two classical characters. Serif and San Serif. Didot and Helvetica. 1783 and 1957. The following part is based on the beauty of Didot typeface (Firmin Didot, 1783, Paris) and developed in a singular lowcase series of characters, with the intention to cover the most used conversational forms of communication, since the mobile phone era began. For further informations, please, go to the middle pages of this book.
16
Everything and Nothing
20
Can and Give
28
Sex and Joke
34
Work time and Free time
38
C root based. Expression of Communication
46
E root based. To Eat, to Drink