Ambiente: Typography Trends Are Here to Stay

The writing’s on the wall when it comes to interior design. It may be big and bold or small and understated, but typography and handwriting are two themes today’s designers love to play with. These powerful designs really are a force to be reckoned with!

These concepts may possibly be a tongue-in-cheek response to our times when words and their truth content are losing status and communications are becoming more impersonal. Lettering of all sorts, and especially handwriting, currently features prominently in interiors: perhaps because they bring back a more personal touch. Lots of creatives and design labels are harnessing word power to pep up their products. It’s a winning concept: whether the words are hard-hitting or softly spoken, on expressive vases or communicative coffee cups, there are designs to cater for all types of type. Faced with so much variety, we’re almost lost for words. Unmistakable Many of these products are beguiling because their simple and unfussy elegance combines with an unmistakable message. Saying what is already clear adds a certain something. The linear look is further emphasised by straight lines of text. “Bold is beautiful” is the philosophy behind this trend! Strong text is where it’s at. Handmade The Formart company is also keen to send out powerful messages – primarily in the must-have hand lettering look. Nathalie Csorvasi is responsible for all the designs from this creative Darmstadt-based company. She trained as a media designer and is au fait with the latest trends in lettering. “My first designs were for my own use, like my handwritten house rules,” she explains in our interview. “My friends loved them and in time I began writing these things for work.” Whereas hand lettering is about imitating existing computer fonts as precisely as possible, handwriting is based on an individual’s own writing style. Product designers are readily employing both at the moment, Natalie explains. The two techniques can be seen as separate art forms – Nathalie has taught herself both, working with a paintbrush and Indian ink. With handwriting in particular, the message comes across in the meaning of the word, and is reinforced through the look of the individual letters. Recently, many handwriting artists have emerged, each with their own distinctive style. The intricacies of their handwriting make their work truly unique.

1 Doormat from Gift Company 2 Wall organizer from WEEW 3 Cup from PO: Selected 4 Notebooks from nuuna 5 Bowls from Salt&Pepper

Powerful words Comics are well known for their big, punchy, expressive text. Onomatopoeic ‘sound words’ underline the action and create the right mood. Decor objects can do it too, by harnessing this comic style. They’re colourful and stand out enough to summon our inner superheroes. Whether it’s a mat, cushion or rucksack – wherever you look, there are comic-book products like those popularised in the past by Roy Lichtenstein. Ban Do has created a scarf which pairs colourful illustrations with a fitting slogan – ‘Do your thing!’ This sunny Los Angeles label is known for the chirpy text printed on its products. Alongside the strong colours, they combine to create a fun mood. And who says typography is limited to the alphabet? This clever silicon cake mould shows letters aren’t the only focus – numbers can also make a big impact. Plus, you can combine two of these moulds to bake a cake for any birthday.

1 Necklace from Mint 2 Jigsaw with frame from Wild & Wolf 3 Doormat by PAD Concept 4 Bike bell from Legami 5 Balloon from Wolf Präsente 6 Cushion from Kare Design 7 Scarf from ban.do 8 Bottle opener from Qualy&Co 9 Cake mould from Lékué 10 Backpack from Sweet Deluxe

Klingspor museum: Text as art If you’re a letter lover with an artistic bent, next time you’re in Frankfurt take a trip to the Klingspor Museum in neighbouring Offenbach. Housed in a neo-Baroque city mansion, this museum named after merchant and type foundry owner Karl Klingspor is well known for its exhibitions on the art of writing and typography.