Public Typography: In the Skate World
-
Upload
rebekah-lewis -
Category
Documents
-
view
221 -
download
1
description
Transcript of Public Typography: In the Skate World
PUBLICTYPOGRAPHY
IN THE SKATE WORLD
The transition from local to massproduced graphics in skating.
IN THE SKATE WORLD
At the
SKATEPARK
Skating has transcended the line of merely
being an enjoyable hobby, and has developed
into something more. This something can
only be defined as a lifestyle. Skateboarders
often devote their time and money into
skating. They become friends with others
in the skating community and together they
create a strong sub-culture.
THIS SOMETHING CAN ONLY BE DEFINED AS A LIFESTYLE.
In this subculture certain brands and styles prevail that define the community. These styles get their
inspiration from the skaters and skate parks, which are the origin of the movement. Certain brands
are seen as the must have brands and are purchased at local skate shops. Larger corporate stores
then emulate the brands and styles found at the local shops. The imitation styles are not viewed as
cool by the skating community and are often purchased by people outside of the sub-culture. The
brands and styles start at the parks, move to local shops, and then get picked up by mainstream
stores. Typography plays a major role in the branding of skaters and their gear. By looking at the
transition from skater to poser brands, this book will also show how the typography transitions.
Joey is in the first grade. For the past 4
months he has asked his mom if he can go to
the skate park every single day.
The skate park is where all the action happens. Skate
boarders go there for hours day after day to perfect their
tricks and skills. This often means many accidents with
the occasional trip to the emergency room. Skate boarders
are tough, and the brands designed for them need to
reflect that. Around skate parks, there are many signs that
warn the user of the park and rules the skaters should
follow. These signs look boring and do nothing to entice
the average skater to actually read them.
graffiti in the skate park
Typography plays a role in the
branding of skaters and their gear.
The common type found around the skate park is
graffiti. It often is rough and not that complex as far
as graffiti goes. Some of the graffiti is based off of
skating vernacular, while some of it is simply a rider’s
name. A lot of the typography is found on the skaters
themselves. The type can be found on their clothing
and their skateboards. This gear is bought at skate
shops that cater to the style that most skaters like.
graffiti
Graffiti can be seen throughout
Centenial Skate Park. Some of the
graffiti is based on skating themes
such as kickflip pictured to the right.
While other examples of graffiti
simply say a skaters name.
At the
SKATESHOP
Skate shops are where skating brands thrive.
This is where skaters can buy their skate
board and gear along with everyday
clothes to wear. There are certain brands
and designers that stand out. Most boards
are designed and made in limited supply
and then distributed locally. This means
that in different regions, styles can vary
and that even dedicated skaters will never
see every style produced.
Signs found in the window at
White Chocolate a local skate
shop in Lawrence, Ks. Many of
the store made signs used bold
sans-serif fonts. These fonts
are easy to read and grab the
attention of those walking by.
Typography also appears on the clothing of
skaters. It can be found in the form of a logo
on everything. It also can be used to make
a statement. In the store White Chocolate in
Lawrence, Kansas, both serif and sans-serif
fonts were used on the clothing and various
other apparel. The type ranged from looking
professional to grunge and homemade.
APPAREL
BOARDSThe boards that are distributed in limited supply
are valued and special to the boarder. These limited
supply boards are made by designers who have
made a name for themselves. Some of the names
include David Carson, Ed Templeton, Jim Phillips, and
Natas Kaupas. Typography found on the underside
of a skateboard is often large and bold.
Skateboarders use their board as an extension of themselves and the design on the
bottom should make a statement about the rider on it. Typography on skateboard
ranges from hand-drawn letters that often resemble graffiti to a cleaner style that
creates a more professional look. The skateboard has turned into a canvas where
illustrators, designers, graffiti artists, and the skateboarders themselves have turned
to put their creative ideas. The look is often colorful and very expressive.
Skateboarders use
their board as an
extension of themselves
SKATING
MAINSTREAMGOES
MAINSTREAM
TARGETUnlike skate shops that are run by people who love skateboarding, corporate companies try
to appeal to skaters without having a real grasp of the culture. They imitate the skate shops,
from designs of boards to how the gear is displayed in the store. Corporate companies try to
capitalize on the success of skateboarding brands that have made a name for themselves not
only in the skating world but also in the mainstream culture as well. Original skate companies
have found a graphic style that appeals to an audience outside of the skate park as well.
These companies have found a way to appeal to a larger audience without losing their original
audience of the skating community. Larger companies create a few designs and then mass-
produce them for a large audience across the nation. The board designs then lose their
appeal because they are common and not anything special to be valued by the boarder.
JAYHAWK BOOKSTORESkateboards found at stores like WalMart are cheap, but many skaters are under the
impression that “good skateboards aren’t cheap and cheap skateboards aren’t good.” Not only
are these cheaper boards often inferior in design, but quality as well. Cheap boards break easily
and therefore can be dangerous to ride. By spending a little bit more money on a quality board,
the skater will actually be saving money in the long run with fewer repairs compared to the
repairs for a cheap board. The large companies do not have the heart and soul that is found in
the skating community, and this shows in their work.
Backpacks and other accessories found at The
Jayhawk Bookstore in Lawrence, Kansas are based on
skateboarding brands. These backpacks are then bought
by mainstream students, including those who would never
dream of skateboarding. The typography and graphics on
these bags are often very expressive and bold and offer
students a larger selection than the typical backpack.
Skating has created its own style and brands complete with graphics
and typography. The type can be found in the skate park, on the skater,
on the gear, in the shop, and even in mainstream stores like WalMart.
Cheap boards give new riders bad experiences that discourage them
from continuing on with the sport. Local skate shops are normally run
by people who are dedicated to skating and promote it as a quality
sport. These local workers can provide helpful tips on how to choose a
board that is appropriate for a rider’s current size and skill level. These
boards are not only a better quality when it comes to material and
safety, but they are aesthetically more pleasing too.
WALMART
Art has become an integral part of the skate
world, and as long as designers and artists
maintain an interest in the branding of
skateboards, the skate world will continue to
produce interesting graphics and typography.
CREDITSThis book was designed as a student project at The University of Kansas for Patrick Dooley’s Designer as Author course, Fall 2010. Photos were taken with a Cannon Rebel and XSi edited in Adobe Photoshop. This book is typeset in Franklin Gothic and Memphis. The following material was used as inspiration and reference for this book:>> Signs: lettering the environment by Phil Baines & Catherine Dixon>> Lift and Separate: Graphic Design and the Vernacular by Various>> The Font of Youth, Newsweek>> An Interview with David Carson by Chad Neuman >> http://skateandannoy.com/galleries/zines/