[1]

Is it just by chance that [2] House Industries, long time font preservers and typography developers would start making actual objects for the house / home?  I think not. A recent gallery show opening in Los Angeles at Subliminal Projects, Letters and Ligatures, showcased their font genius as well as their clean, fun, modern take on housewares and textiles.  

Aside from just using House’s retro infused fonts for various graphics projects, I started taking more interest in their commercial and product endeavors when they started offering Neutra house numbers and lingerie adorned books (i.e.Agent Provacateur). Personally, I did not feel right using Neutra house numbers on my non-Neutra house, so I opted for Avant Garde. 

When they released their Alexander Girard children’s blocks a couple years ago, I made sure to get a set for my neice and nephew. They had to have these to include in their collection of Naef toys and puzzles and the Kay Bojesen Wooden Monkey. I quickly assumed the role as shopping aunt, addicted to making sure style was a large part of their childhood years.

Every stylish kid in the nation should own a set of these Girard blocks. While at the show, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in an oversized children’s romper room of giant colorful alphabets, numbers, and mobiles. As you progressed through the gallery, the last room had some cutting boards that were fashioned out of solid wood using one of their new script font’s ampersand as the shape. The same shape also comes in a cast metal object that could be used as bookends.

The idea of “and” as something to associate with food made me smile, alluding to the abundant and endless possibilities surrounding food. I was curious about the stroked line on the cutting board and if it was for meat drippings, but I was told it was purely aesthetic to define the shape. Oh well.

The names they have chosen to collaborate with are broad in scope, but somehow they manage to reflect the discipline of thoughtful, considered typography, illustration and design. I look forward to seeing their future creations in both type and product form. 

It was nice to put a face to a font, (get it?) and I got to meet and chat a little with both Adam and Andy Cruz at the opening. They are two of the founding members, who are also brothers, along with a few others, they make up House Industries.

If you are into screen-printing, [3] Fresh Pressed, the cool DIY screen printing shop in Los Feliz has a House Font Kiosk set up now to make and typeset your own tees. 

Didn’t you hear? ‘His’ and ‘Hers’ tees are back in style, especially in custom brush script fonts. 

Letter and LIgatures

thru Dec. 5, 2008

Subliminal Projects

1331 N. Sunset Blvd

LA 90026

213.213.0078

related site:

http://www.maximodesign.com/