Over the last few weeks I have felt that I’m being stalked. Based on the overwhelming popularity of IBD (the book and the blog) I have had to consider hiring a bodyguard. I watch a lot of episodes of TMZ and now realize that you haven’t arrived until you have a supersized man walking behind you and a dog that fits in a purse. I would hope that Paul would have my back if we were together at one of our favorite scenes (like hanging out an Office Depot) and it turned tragic (Paul asked where they keep the Apple computers and they tell him they don’t carry them), but based on my experience with graphic designers they will turn on you in a heartbeat.
Over a year ago I made a decision to change a typeface in a logo that I was designing for the upcoming NAI Region VI workshop in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. As with many of the design projects that I work on, I send them to Paul for a review, comments, and suggestions. Paul’s reaction was “Is that Hobo? No Hobo!!!” Based on the number of exclamation points being used I knew that Paul (a chronic over-punctuator) was serious about the use of Hobo and I would have to change it at the very least to avoid any additional chastising. I have never dealt well with peer pressure. Ever since I made that decision I can’t but help noticing the removed typeface in conspicuous locations on a daily basis. Perhaps it is less of a stalking and more of a haunting a sort of “ghost of typefaces past.” That typeface is Hobo.
Created in 1910, Hobo is a sans serif that is known for its lack of descending straight lines and overall casual feel. Created by Morris Fuller Benton, who as a typographer worked for the ATF (American Type Founders, not the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms), designed over 200 typefaces. According to Benton’s biography on Wikipedia the “large family of related neogrotesque sans-serif typefaces, known as ‘gothics’ as was the norm at the time, includes Alternate Gothic, Franklin Gothic, and News Gothic. All were more similar to, and better anticipated, later realist sans-serif typefaces such as Helvetica than did the other early grotesque types of his contemporaries.” As a park ranger I’m not sure what that really means but I think it is saying something about Benton being really great and designers today who like black lipstick, skinny jeans, and black fingernail polish.
I know exactly what you are thinking, “Didn’t Paul write about Hobo in his post Get to Know a Typeface: Hobo on Monday, March 29, 2010?” Yes, he did and I’m impressed with your knowledge of IBD posts. I’m still not satisfied with my decision to drop Hobo and use N.O. Movement Bold. In fact I still kind of like Hobo. I think it has something to do with all of these Hobo cameo appearances that are constantly reminding me of a design decision that I made. Which should actually be working the opposite way, much like the ubiquity of Papyrus and Comic Sans, to reinforce that I made the right decision to drop an overused font? The difference is that Hobo is not that bad of a typeface it is just overused. Hobo (much like Papyrus, Comic Sans and Paul) has websites that display others’ disdain for them (I Hate Hobo).
I have to admit that I’m happy that a logo I created didn’t land on one of those websites but why can’t I find peace with the decision I made? Because Hobo was what I looking for in a typeface that represented the unique style of Eureka Springs while still being easy to read in the negative space (or counterform, for those fancy pants non-Hobo using graphic designers who live in Fort Collins, Colorado) of the exclamation point. I think the lack of straight lines, decenders, and the overall casual feel and roundness is as eclectic as Eureka itself. I understand why the change needed to be made and I am being constantly reminded of that same reason.
In the mean time I’m going to order this pledge provided by Lure and hang it in my office.
I still like Hobo.
I mentioned peer pressure earlier in the post. There will be an informal gathering of IBD readers at the NAI National Workshop next week in Las Vegas, Nevada immediately following the Superstars of Interpretation on Wednesday night. This idea actually came from a reader/commenter known as Joan (we cannot confirm or deny that her name is actually Joan). Paul and I will be looking for the closest Office Depot to the Las Vegas Strip so we can discuss the pros and cons of metal and plastic paperclips. Seriously, there will be a gathering, location to be determined. Check the IBD Facebook page during the conference or ask us. Help us make it go viral at the workshop, without the flu-like symptoms.
Just so that I don’t slip up and accidentally use a font that would make Paul cry, could you guys collect all your banned fonts and put them into one “No Fly” list?
Phil, here’s my list: Comic Sans, Papyrus, Curlz MT. That’s it. I actually like Hobo.
One advantage of the Hobo version over your second one is that Hobo seems to kern better. Personally, I think there are much better font choices than Hobo for that project. Unfortunately, the N.O. Movement Bold doesn’t seem to be one. Also, I really hope the logo didn’t get final approval with the typo in “Moment!”
But, yes, this is a very good argument. I’m glad there are those of us standing up to the needless use of “theme fonts” like Hobo, Papyrus and Comic-Sans. There’s a time and place for everything… unfortunately Hobo’s was in the late 60s, Papyrus in Ancient Egypt and Comic-Sans in the early days of Microsoft Word.
Thanks Mike, for pointing out the “MOMEMTS” in that logo. I love a good typo.
Paul, I’m going to spend this weekend in search of an “ILL” shirt to bring to the auction next week, just so that you have the opportunity to make a sign (in Comic Sans, preferably) that says, “As seen in IBD!” to put on it. Unfortunately, the Wildwood Boardwalk shirt emporiums are shut down for the winter, and everywhere else may be too classy to carry them.
For the IBD gathering in Vegas, I suggest that everyone make up a nametag using their favorite font.
Nice catch Mike, I did a fine job of pulling the wrong FINAL file. The Hobo logo didn’t make it far.
Phil, Paul could not handle that may typefaces bouncing around him on nametags.
SHEA LEWIS HATES THE LETTER N!
Shea, isn’t that the design decision I said wouldn’t be appreciated until long after your death?
I can confirm that my name is actually Joan.
I like the hobo version better for some reason, but, as I am constantly being reminded by people I work with, I am not a designer and have no taste.
With that caveat in mind, all the cool kids use metal paperclips. Or that staple-less stapler thingy. (And yes, all the cool kids also use the word ‘thingy’ on a regular basis. And discuss paper attachment methods on the internet.)
Okay, I have a confession to make. I am not an Uber Font Nerd like Paul, Shea or Amy. When I say the title of this blog, I thought Shea still had not found a place to live near his new job and was a “Hobo” and had maybe taken to sleeping on the streets at night. Then I thought the “hauntings” was either his experience being a Hobo, or the other folks describing Shea’s wardrobe. As I read the content of the blog, I was wrong on both accounts, though there still are concerns over Shea’s wardrobe. Let’s hope there are no wardrobe malfunctions in Las Vegas.
As I said, I am not a Font Nerd, so I do not have much else to say about the font stuff in this post. I have a few other things to comment on though …
1) I am excited about the IBD gathering in Wednesday night. I hope it does not have another ticket cost of $1,000 like Ryan Sheacrest made me buy for the other event that evening.
2) There is not a single mention of baseball in this column. What’s up with that? Pitchers and catchers report in 3 months, and I will still hate the No-Good Stinkin’ Yankees.
3) Shea and Paul, I look for forward to seeing you and buying you those beers I owe you.
4) Shea, Paul, IBD & NAI Rock!
N.O. Movement makes it look like “Eureka” as uttered by an urbane hipster (Philly man). Hobo makes it look like Eureka Springs, Arkansas (woo pig sooie). But if you were really the nerds you say you are, you would have used the Eureka typeface.
But then again, y’all just really got some chops and you’re not doing it to be nerdy. Next time I need a logo, I hope your bodyguards let me by.
Sorry I won’t be in Vegas.