Prime Objective 16 is to publish Graymatters, a periodic publication that serves as an incubator for ideas, a sounding board for rants, a celebration of excellence, and a laboratory for typographic experimentation.
This post is the first article/essay in issue 1. The plan is to have periodic articles posted here and on a companion blog, that is yet to be designed. In the end I’d like to have each edition printed and sold, but we’ll see if that get’s off the ground.
A manifesto seems appropriate at the start of this particular new venture. This manifesto does not propose to become the source of a revolutionary new art form or political movement, nor does it assume its existence will make any significant contribution to the history of the world. Its only supposition is that of individual quality—specifically of thought, of passion, and of action. I applaud those who govern their lives by these three quintessential human qualities and seek to associate with them. However, a decrease in their apparentness within modern society has created a need for resurgence.* Too many careless wanderers have taken the places of mindful laborers. Mediocrity rules where excellence once did. Rather than accepting complacency with bowed head, I propose a return to creative existence; a return to self-initiated value of integrity and virtue—not dictated by another man’s conscience, but by my own. No longer will I be weighed down by anything other than my own expectations.
Thought, passion, and action have recently become the driving forces in how I approach most things, not just design. The interplay of these three attributes, properly balanced allow for immense growth. As I look back on times when I have felt a great sense of accomplishment, these three have been perfectly balanced.
Each corresponds to a part of living: mental, emotional/spiritual, and physical. The three are dependent upon each other and I upon their collaboration. When one outweighs another, I find myself less than my best. Their order is important also. My father used to say something that has stuck with me: “Thoughts lead to actions, actions lead to habits, habits create a character, and character builds a life.” The most key part of that process lies within thoughts to actions. Thoughts initiate passion which drives action, and the subsequent sum of actions create a life. My aim is to create one worth remembering.
Graymatters is intented to serve as a creative outlet for all three. First, and foremost, this publication is intended to be thought-provoking, both for me, as the author, and for whatever readers are persuaded to pick up a copy and peruse. Second, Graymatters provides a source of exploration within my passion for design, and more specifically typography. Third, I hope that in some way, Graymatters will inspire another to follow their thoughts and passions and act on them.
*A friend of mine, after reading this, commented that perhaps, it is not so much a decrease in the level of quality in the world, but more likely an increase in my recognition of what has always existed—that quality is rare.
Austin and I have been ordering groceries for almost as long as we’ve been without a car. The discovery came after a couple months of walking to and from the store, backpacks and bags in tow, laden with too many pounds of food for our poor backs to handle comfortably. The 10 block walk started to become drudgery. Needless to say, the $12 delivery charge became a welcome expense. The one setback is that the website (albertsons.com) sometimes isn’t so friendly. Most fruits and vegetables are divided by unit for ordering, but there are a few that are delineated by pound. Carrots fall into the latter category. Anybody have a juicer?
Now the my BFA is finally finished, I have free time to fill. Luckily I’m good at that. In fact, I already have a couple projects I’ve added:
1. I’m a contributor to a new blog called ‘the syllabus’
We’ve just started getting content together so we have a good launch. It’s focused on graphic design students and young graphic design professionals, their unique concerns and things that will ease the transition between school and work. I’ll be the contributing typography expert (whatever that means) with a weekly blog and more infrequent articles. I’m rather excited about it.
2. I’ve started a new typeface. Granted, it’s still in the incubation stages, but I feel like I have a solid design brief/concept that fills an area that seems to be needing filled within the realm of type design.
3. I’ve also been tossing around another idea for writing, mostly just a fun way for me to journal and incubate ideas. It’ll be called GrayMatters. I’m so clever. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get some funds to publish every year. I think after I incorporate Typecaste at the beginning of the year, I might use it as the basis for my annual report. Who knows?
One little caveat on #2. Austin made me promise that I’d take at least a month off before starting another typeface so there probably won’t be any updates during the next month.
Just because I laughed out loud. A lot.
After a very long (and somewhat rainy) day, my back is tired and my eyes can barely be kept open. Here’s the latest version of Daphne. I’m starting to lose track of all the glyphs, but I think it’s somewhere around 650. Anyway, the end of the tunnel is near. Enjoy.
Arlo Vance is a graphic designer and typographer living and working in Salt Lake City. He currently works for Hint Creative, a small design consultancy.
My personal sites:
My Website
Typecaste
Typography Blogs
Typophile
I love Typography
Family and Friends
Vance Family
Clint & Julie L.
Craig & Brina V.
Spencer & Andi M.
Jenny W.
Alison F.
Bardhi H.
Libby E.
Matthew C.