6 ・29・15 (GRC)

Shoreditch Flower and Flea Market

Today, we made our way to Shoreditch, where we were greeted with heavy rainfall. But that wouldn't stop us...

We made our way to the bus station so we could check out the glorious flower street-market. There was every kind of flower you could think of in the most sensational colors (and cheaper than I've ever seen...can you say £5 for 20 roses??).
It was so crowded and the rain was coming down harder, so we couldn't stay long, but boy was I in heaven. 





Afterwards, we made our way to the flea market (with a necessary coffee pit stop to fight the cold and wet). I was first struck by the distinct and irresistible smell of gourmet cupcakes. They had samples of the cookies and cream and it took every ounce of self-control to not buy one. We shopped around the market where all of us found something for a total steal. Shirts, necklaces, purses, flower headbands, you name it.

On the walk back to the bus in the main part of the city, I was captivated by a couple signs. These were mostly so striking due to their stark and brilliant contrast. The Vagabond sign has a glorious script font emphasized by the sort of exterior frame and interior line. Then it boasts a sans serif type font to emphasize what they have to offer you. The also exhibited some repetition with the "and" written in script down below, making this a very effective and eye-catching sign. 






Finally, I was captured by this sign with green and gold embossing. I love the combination of the very modern symbol that in a mere few connected lines has all the letters of their name "BLIXEN" in it. That contrasted with the very classic look of the vivid thicks and thins with long serifs evokes a very specific feel. To me the green and gold also speaks to a classic style, (it didn't hurt that it reminded of Rolex and therefore luxury) and then the symbol lends to a more trendy and approachable feel. It's truly quite effective and well-designed in my opinion. 

6・24・15 (GRC)

Bus Tour of London 

Exactly one week after our long awaited arrival in London, the group departed for a bus tour that allowed us to explore the city and all the awe-striking things it has to offer.

As we drove around block after block with our guide pointing out and explaining all the landmarks in the city, I couldn't help but to find myself distracted by all the diversity. The diversity of the people, the city blocks, the buildings, and finally, all of the different typography surrounding me.

Now, I'm just getting introduced to the whole technical side of typography, so these first only struck me as pretty and eye-catching. Nonetheless, I'll do my best to briefly explain why I think that is using the proper terminology...

This sign first caught my eye, because of the ornate swirls and twirls of each letter and my first conjecture was that it must be script type, because of its resemblance to handwriting or calligraphy. However, script should not be used in all caps, whereas decorative type font is typically used in all caps...leaving me in a sticky amateur situation of really not knowing what factor is more important, and therefore, which is correct.

This building in its entirety looks very important and I have no idea what it is, but the fact that such an old building has script numbers prominently displayed across it in neon red, captured my full attention. The juxtaposition of the ancient design and the modern sign display left me gravely curious what these numbers represent..and isn't that what a sign is supposed to do?

This white and brick building cut with a black stripe, which then appears to be gold-embossed looks so extraordinarily classy. That with the combination of explicit thicks and thins and extended serifs is simply striking.

Testing 1-2-3

Alpha Phi's take London by bike in Hyde Park.