PPP - Five Type Trends

Five Contemporary Type Trends 

Chrometype 

Chrometype is a contemporary type that creates a hybrid of futuristic references whilst also paying homage to 90's computer graphics. 

The style reinvents psychedelic type design of the 20th century, yet adds a chromatic effect; the trend combats minimalistic typography with chaotic forms and vibrant colour palettes. 

The metal scene also plays a part in influencing the trend, due to the type designs' spiked silhouettes and angular shapes. 

Chrometype is very much targeted towards modern day 'youth culture', and is featured in brands that are wanting to portray this, such as sportswear companies such as Nike and musicians. 

Johnathon Castro 

Castro is a designer/animator that plays with elements of the chrometype trend; his work features metallic textures amidst an array of neon and colour. Castro has worked with clients such as Nike, Pin-Up magazine, and Boiler Room. 

The reinvention of certain aesthetics is a popular trend in itself in contemporary typography, which can be seen in the rise of chrometypes' popularity. 

The trend doesn't seem to use any sort of grid or rule, which plays into it's almost chaotic nature; the type is very much disruptive and is considered as a rebellion against minimalist typefaces.  

Typo-choreographies  

'Movement' is a typeface designed by NM type that takes inspiration from the movement of dance, by creating font through choreography. The 'trend' takes reference from the idea of calligraphy originating from hand movements, and instead used the help of choreographer Andile Vellem by using ‘Laban movement analysis’.‘Typo-choreographies’ have been around for a long time; in 1926 Milka Mayerova choreographed the alphabet as modern ballet; NM type took this concept and reinvented it as a variable font.

 

Bold / Geometric Fonts 

'Elastik Grostek' is a typeface amidst the trend of geometric, modular fonts in contemporary typography, created by Benoît Bodhuin. The type is influenced by Bodhuin's mathematics degree, which features punctuation marks blended alongside the glyphs. The typeface is quoted as being for 'bold graphic designers with a taste for risk and expressiveness'.

Activism in Type

Within an ever changing political and social climate, there has been a growing trend for contemporary designers to provoke more thought and represent activism within their type. Within this trend is a typeface designed by Tal Shub, inspired by the handwriting of environmentalist and activist Greta Thunberg, called 'Greta Grotesk'. The type uses glyphs from Greta's writing to form a digital alphabet version. Shub smoothed out some elements, such as differences in thickness to allow the font to be more versatile, yet it still keeps the intimate value of handwriting. Shub stated that the type isn't just for the obvious use of posters, as it was created to be used in any association with climate change. The type uses a subliminal association with Greta Thunberg herself, so can be applied quite subtly.