Creative Director Noël Nanton was invited to take part in a panel discussion about the current political atmosphere, social issues and economic realities. At full length, artists discussed the process and theory behind their creations and how their artwork related to these prevailing challenges.

Noël shares his journey of research, computer free techniques, experimentation, typographic expression, and his arduous trial and error process when creating his posters for the exhibition.

We are proud to be taking part in a thought-provoking exhibition at the SUR Gallery called STANCE: Design Against Fascism. STANCE: Design Against Fascism, brings current societal challenges such as polarization, radicalization, the rise of white nationalism and fascist tactics to the foreground. It creates a space for an audience to question how far we have truly advanced from the ideological dogmas of the past and how they continue to shape our current political, social and economic realities. Nine Toronto-based artists and designers—working with themes relevant to marginalized and under-represented communities in Canada—reinterpret the 1973 Chilean poster art exhibition Por la Vida…Siempre! (For Life…Always!).

typotherapy designed two posters ‘Dueling Ideologies’ and ‘Fascism is Racist’. The Dueling Ideologies poster reinterpretation consisted of an expressive typographic language, along side the symbolic ‘Dueling ideologies’ gun graphic, which was created using hands on / computer free techniques and processes inspired by the original poster. Custom constricting letterforms (as if the letters are closing in) were created. The typographic arrangement of falling letters depicts the collapse of the political process and democracy itself.

The ‘Fascism is Racist’ poster reinterpretation focuses on who (theirs) are. It depicts an illustrated clinched hand, attempting to exterminate the “liberal vision of multicultural, multi-religious, multi-racial society”. It also brings to light a selection of fascist actions/political parties and movements that have adopted fascist traits since the turn of the century. The ‘star symbol’ (theirs) indicates the connection to the original statement, to both the clinched fist, and significant fascist actions/political parties and movements.

The Arizona State University Visual Communications Design students, invited typotherapy to take part in their 10th annual poster show. The fundraiser event is held for one special night, where posters by renowned graphic design professionals from across the globe, are displayed and auctioned to the public.

50 Years of Helvetica was our poster contribution for the show. We were very happy to be a part of the event.

 

Images Courtesy of ASU

Design Mexico is another great event sponsored by the ADCC, held at the historic Great Hall and featured one of Anagrama’s founding partners, Sebastian Padilla. Sebastian initiated his talk by illustrating how and why he chose to be a graphic designer, how he works and collaborates with others as a result to his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is a great advantage for him and his studio.

With beer in hand, Sebastian spoke about how his experiences within the sharp contrasts of his city of Monterrey, shape his designs. At times, to show the dramatic contrast of his city, he made comments like: “Tourist don’t visit Monterrey. Monterrey holds some of the richest population of Latin America, side by side with extremely poor communities.” Influenced by this sharp contrast, his studio uses this juxtaposition as a method to create their work. For example, mixing bright colours from traditional Mexican hot candy vendors with high-end typography and European design styles. The lecture, filled with Helvetica laced slides, went on to showcase Sebastian’s many other areas of interest, intertwined with his graphic designs, — including a chain of toccoria restaurants and a film that is currently in production.

The lecture did receive some criticism from an audience member (seemingly also from Monterrey), in the Q & A portion, around Sebastian’s perceived lack of respect for his city. The questioner went on to voice her opinion that Sebastian should be respectful, and think about being a good ambassador for his city/country when touring. Although this was unusual, Sebastian noted that this is his opinion and his experience with his city.

The exhibit featured projects from participating studios and designer such as Aldo Arillo, Elle Mexico, Futura, Monumento, Orion, Óscar Estrada and Anagrama.

We recently contributed a series of poster designs for the West End YMCA. These colourful type inspired posters were positioned throughout the YMCA’s facility to help promote its long standing Run Club.

Our holiday offerings are in production at Flash Reproductions.

Stay tuned…