We’re already almost a month into 2012, and I have a few trend features to share with you over the next couple of weeks. There are so many exciting things going on right now in stationery, and I can’t wait to share some thoughts about what I think will be big this year. First, one of my favorite trends (it’s been building over the past couple of years).
Custom Calligraphy and Hand-Lettering
Calligraphy and hand-lettering continue to be a major force in the world of custom invitations and, with many more extremely talented calligraphers and hand-lettering artists coming onto the scene, there are an incredible range of styles available to designers and their custom invitation clients.
Custom calligraphy and lettering can bring everything from upscale elegance to casual quirkiness to an invitation suite. We’ve seen examples from everywhere along this spectrum in the past year, and I think that we’ll see even more fantastic, custom suites in the coming year. However, if the budget for something completely custom just isn’t there, then you’re in luck because calligraphy and lettering-inspired fonts are springing up all over, too.
Above, Top Row : hand-lettered navy blue + yellow letterpress invitations (Perky Bros, Giada Coppi, Rohner Letterpress); sweet, hand-lettered letterpress wedding invitations (The Mandate Press); Aria letterpress wedding invitation (Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls for Bella Figura)
Bottom Row : Coronado letterpress wedding invitation (Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls for Bella Figura); sweet mason jar + fireflies wedding invitations (Brandon Kirk, Jacob Gerber, Lilco Letterpress); whimsical hand-lettered bridal shower invites (Mary Kate McDevitt)
The Long-Legged Fonts
Strangelove and Liebe Erika set the tone, and an entire generation of ultra thin, tall, condensed fonts has followed, bringing designers dozens of potential long-legged fonts with which to work. These fonts, which can be straightforward, a little bit scruffy, or sometimes loopy and swirly, are right at home in wedding invitations with a bit of casual whimsy. They are warm and sweet, with a homespun appeal, and they’re certain to charm.
Above, Row 1 : Liebe Erika by Ulrike Wilhelm/LiebeFonts and Strangelove by Marcus Sterz/FaceType Row 2 : Hello I Like You by Cindy Kinash/Cultivated Mind and Baronessa by Juraj Chrastina Row 3 : Shiva by Ryoichi Tsunekawa/Flat-It and Berimbau by Ricardo Marcin & Erica Jung/Pintassilgo Prints Row 4 : Populaire by Ricardo Marcin & Erica Jung/Pintassilgo Prints and Firefly by Miranda Hopper/Canada Type Row 5 : Mr Moustache by Georg Herold-Wildfellner/FaceType and Nivel by Ewen Prigent/La Boite Graphique
Calligraphy Fonts
The classic script font is beautiful, stately, and not going anywhere anytime soon, but over the past year a number of gorgeous fonts by calligraphers and hand-lettering artists have made a big splash in the wedding invitation world. The creative hand can be clearly seen in these lovely faces – the unique edge of the pen used to create the forms, swashes and curls that are anything but buttoned-up, and a decidedly hand-formed feel that appeals to just about everyone.
Above, Row 1 : Carolyna and Carolyna Pro Black by Emily Conners/Emily Lime Row 2 : Emily Lime by Emily Conners/Emily Lime and Belluccia by Debi Sementelli & Brian J. Bonislawsky/Correspondence Ink Row 3 : Bookeyed Suzanne and Bookeyed Jack by Crystal Kluge & Stuart Sandler/Tart Workshop Row 4 : Alana by Laura Worthington and Parfumerie Script Pro by Sabrina Mariela Lopez/Typesenses
image source: various