Type designer, illustrator and artist Seb Lester writes, “BlackLetter was used throughout Europe from about 1150 until the end of the 17th century. One of my current preoccupations is developing a set of modern BlackLetter capitals that are highly legible, in BlackLetter terms, and yet retain the richness and beauty inherent in this ancient category of letterform. From time to time I will film clips like this to record my progress.”

via This Is Colossal.

From NYC DOT, Behind the Signs: A Look at the DOT Sign Shop:

There are more than two million signs in New York City. Ever wonder where they come from? Many are made by DOT’s in-house sign shop based in Maspeth, Queens. This crew of 22 employees fabricate 9,000-12,000 signs a month, ranging from large highway signs down to Alternate Side Parking signs. Learn more about this crucial aspect of keeping NYC moving.

We love how things are made.

via Devour.

Upside Down, Left To Right: A Letterpress Film, featuring one of the last movable type print shops in the UK.

via Doobybrain.

Type is everywhere. Every print publication, website, movie, advertisement and public message involves the creation or selection of a fitting typeface. Online, a rich and artistic typographical culture exists, where typefaces are created and graphic design seeps in to every image.

Typography and design are part of what we do for a living around here, but it was still a surprise when the co-curator liked this video from PBS’s Off Book series. There’s a fair amount of discussion in the video, but it’s mixed with images of New York City, as well as colors, letters, patterns, and shapes that all have meaning. Kids like all of that, too!

via Visual News.