Studio Brief 2 - Typeface part 7 (Art deco Type research)

Art Deco has had an extremely influential effect on type.

Perhaps the most prominent type designer of the art deco era was Cassandre. Creator of iconic typefaces such as Bifur and Acier -

- which were used throughout the decade and still used today.

Art deco type is characterised by bold outlines, streamlined and geometric shapes and decorative features all with a feel of sophistication and elegance.

Stroke is a major component in Art deco style typefaces.

I have noticed that some widely used typefaces are thin and tall with little variant on the stroke width - however the letters featuring bowls are perfectly circular.

'Gloria' 

'Mostra One'

In contrast, other widely used typefaces feature extreme contrast in stroke width. Perhaps the most popular of these is the typeface Broadway - described as the archetypal Art Deco Typeface.

A display typeface designed by Morris Fuller Benton, it was designed to be capitals only typeface. It was expanded 2 years later into lower case by Sol Hess and has been used for many Art Deco designs.

The extreme contrast in strokes give the type an ornamental feel - ideal for the period. 

Another feature I have noticed is the repetition of stroke in letterforms. Examples of this include the typeface Park Lane -

Atlas - 

and my personal favourite Metropolis designed by Josip Kevala - 

I love the way this repetition within the letterform looks, I think it perfectly reflects the style of the period.