Time and the weather can be cruel. I like the unintended and sometimes beautiful effects this deterioration can have on a design. The gold decoration above "Glen Grove" looks the way it does because the shiny metallic gold vinyl they used shrinks in the sun, pulls away from the adhesive, shrivels up like a dead flower, and - Viola!
After admiring the signs and lettering on my walks to work, I wanted to document what I had found. We often discuss the cultural impact of architecture and urban spaces but rarely the words and letters found in these spaces. So here is villatype, a visual record and discussion of type and lettering found in the public domain. I hope you will all take part by adding to the dialogue and posting your own finds.
Call for submissions
villatype is always searching for found type and lettering in any public space. You can send me images along with your name, city, street and date. Or, even better, become a contributor and post them yourself by emailing me your contact info and I will add you as a contributor.