"Fitting In" [Reflections On Book - 100 Ideas That Changed Graphic Design Stephen Heller and Veronique Vienne - # 17]
If we are prone to ornament,
Then swash and ligature
Fit in quite well, if meaning meant
Is needed to stay pure.But then again, when plain is there
As background to the font
A swash or ligature will fare
As well as one could want.With filigrees, and curlicues,
With tales, and tears, and strokes,
Coiled ornaments augment the view
To please discerning folks.Use borders wide, and margins big,
And wood-cut-styles to boot,
For Gather black on white, or rig
A psychedelic look.Two hundred years they looked at ways
The scribes of old would craft,
To find a style which “classy” says,
Without appearing daft.It works (or not) depending on
The way designers work;
Results are often lots of fun
(Though some just raise a smirk).It’s uppercase, initials there
Which mostly treatment get;
Though some have ventured to prepare
A font to give full text.So if we like to ornament
With oft-repeated form,
Then swash is worth the time that’s spent
To press your message home.Thanks Lord for this.
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