Five great gifts for the typography lover in your life

In my family, it’s a running joke to choose the birthday card with the worst typography, so I have to pretend to like it. My house full of English teachers listens to me complain about bad design, plays “name that typeface” with me when I pick up a flyer, and knows that using Comic Sans on anything will earn them a short lecture.
 
They’re actually pretty understanding of my charming little quirks. They find my obsession with design and typography sort of fascinating, and do their best to cater to my interests from time to time. (In my opinion, this is a well-deserved accommodation — you try having Christmas dinner with three public school employees who actually enjoy talking about lesson plans.)
 
Last year, my older brother surprised me by purchasing “Thinking with Type,” the classic typography guide by Ellen Lupton. It should be a bookshelf staple for any designer.
 
So this year, as I was crafting my universal wish list at Amazon.com, I started thinking maybe there are other people who share my quirks. Some of these things I already own, but I’ve included them for your benefit. If the words “Lowercase Scarf” intrigue you, read on.
 
Andrea’s Design-friendly Wish List (in no particular order)
  *“The Cheese Monkeys: A Novel in Two Semesters” by Chip Kidd*
$10.07 (Amazon)
I am a newbie to the world of book design, and only recently discovered Chip Kidd. I own Book One, a compilation of Kidd’s book covers, and I love flipping through it. The Cheese Monkeys, as I understand it, is based on Kidd’s journey through graphic design school — something I’m sure I can relate to. Friends and family having a hard time understanding your artsy mind? Pass it off to them when you’re finished reading.
 
“Objectified,” from Director Gary Hustwit
$19.99 (Amazon)
From the director of the infamous “Helvetica” documentary comes “Objectified,” a film about objects and the designers who create them. I’ve never seen the film, but I’ve always wanted to. I often wonder if this could replace the frequent showings of “Helvetica” I seem to encounter in design classes. (This semester, I watched “Helvetica” on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of the same week because two different professors were showing it.) According to the film’s Web site, “Objectified” is “a look at creativity at work behind everything from toothbrushes to tech gadgets.” That’s design I can live with.
 
Lowercase Scarf
$58.00 (Little Factory)
I’ll admit, this is a little pricey for a scarf. Offered in white, grey and black with the option of uppercase, lowercase or numbers these scarves are just downright awesome. The company also offers coasters and placemats made of letters; perfect for the typophile in your life.
 
Typography Calendar
$25.00 (Post Typography)
This typographic wall calender from Post Typography looks simply amazing. If you’re tired of mom buying you teen heart-throbs to grace your wall, suggest this beautifully illustrated design calendar. It’ll be fun to look at year round.
 
I Shot the Serif T-shirt
$17.00 (Fashionably Geek)
Okay, so maybe this is a little self-indulgent. I actually didn’t know this T-shirt existed until after I’d started this blog. Somebody showed it to me, though, and I’ve been in love with it ever since. It’s my favorite typographic pun, and I’m sure the designer in your life will have a good chuckle.

• News
• Campus
• City
• Police Briefs
• Crime Map

• Opinion
• Editorials
• Columns
• Letters

• Features
• Event Calendar

• Sports
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Field Hockey
• Ice Hockey
• Rowing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming & Diving
• Track & Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

• Blogs
• Classifieds
• Religious Guide
• Puzzles
• Mobile Edition
• Housing Guide

• Multimedia
• Living City
• Video
• Photo Galleries
• Podcasts

• Archives
• Search
• Feeds
• Photo Reprints
• Advertise With Us
• SN Alumni
• Work Here
• Contact Us
• Privacy Policy

• Follow Us:
• Facebook
• Twitter

• 
• More Page Fronts
• Reprints

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University. State News, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Avenue during business hours.