Circular by The Letterbox

This really just goes to show that Stephen Banham is not only a master typographer but a master of the Australian vernacular. The Circular project is a series of 8 cast iron works placed along Main St in Point Cook that reference the history and community of the area. While they were produced with artist Christine Eid, it's Banham's work we're interested in. I've always been very fond of The Letterbox's output, whether it's the events, fonts or any of the design work that stream out of that studio. They always seem to reference a very special part of Australian design history, without verging into the domain of tacky Australiana. Every typographic detail is a considered reference to a historical element that nobody else can seem to get a handle on. I've tried, but every time I end up giving up and spending twenty minutes going over their body of work and realise it's been done before. And to a much higher level than I could have imagined. 

 

 

I thought I'd isolate the charming typography so it can be seen on it's own. Mostly to get a proper sense of how they work, how they stand up as pure typographic wit. I'm rather enamored of "A Safe Landing", as viewing it in white on a black bar seems, to me, as a way of reading it in the original. Dotted throughout Melbourne there are numerous examples of this style, always set in this manner. Look for a butchers sign in Sydney Rd, and Joe's Shoe Store in Hight Street. Always set the same way. And I'm sure Banham is well aware of this as well.

 

 

I've just noticed that a few of these act as mini board games, adding a tiny element of play into the street. Nothing too over the top, a simple use of dice rolling, but they show a desire to quietly improve the conviviality of the built environment. 

Speaking of small details, I'm pretty sure that's Jones I see in the numbering system for the Park image. A rather fine typeface if I do say so myself. 

Update: Coincidentally, I just came across this nice chat between Banham and Vince, designer of Jones.

 

 

Comments

[Sarah Findlay]

Thanks for the post Neville. Very kind words indeed. The numerals in the RACE TO THE PARK plate are set in Etica (from Type Together), one of Stephen's current favourites.

[Daniel Neville]

Of course. Thanks for the correction. I'd forgotten about that face. May I ask about "A Safe Landing"? Or was that created in house?