Author: Justin & Ersun

I Bet You Use Helvetica

Justin & Ersun 2 Comments

Lauded as the “ultimate typeface”: both the creme de la creme and commonplace default of visual communication, Helvetica pervades modern-day graphics. It is clean, practical, and elegant. You’ve seen it on street-signs, websites, corporate logos, designer bags, voting ballots, t-shirts, and even nutrition facts. Helvetica is ubiquitous. It’s so popular, there was even a movie about it. So…

Helvetica

If you haven’t used it to write, you’ve definitely used it to read.

The film by Gary Hustwit, Helvetica (2007), is worth a watch. (This is coming from a mild typography enthusiast. And by “mild,”  I mean that I appreciate a good typeface. Put simply: if you dislike Comic Sans, you’ll enjoy the film). It explores both the conception and adoption of the typeface and its impact on global society. Like the less elegant font with which you are reading, this blog post is a less elegant illustration of Helvetica. To fully learn about the type that dictates your life, watch the film instead. To kinda learn about this sans-serif typeface, keep reading.

Helvetica was designed in 1957 in Switzerland by Max Miedinger with Eduard Hoffmann. With the intent of creating a clean typeface that was as neutral as its country of origin, Miedinger and Hoffman founded Helvetica under the name “Neue Hass Grotesk.” But this typeface was far from grotesque. It was the spark of a new beginning for visual communication. As the modernist movement in architecture stripped extraneous decorations from buildings, Swiss typography removed the relics of older print-age standards. Helvetica shaved the serifs.

In typography, there are a few different font styles–serif, sans serif, slab-serif, and script. Each have their own purpose and should only be used in certain settings. Reading paragraph text in slab-serif (think bold and blocky lettering) is awful. Flowing script conveys elegance with a light feel but would not be appropriate for stop signs. The most used fonts are either serif or sans-serif. For print or a large amount of paragraph text, as demonstrated in this piece of writing, a serif font is used. The little lines and hooks used at the ends of these letters are called “serifs.” Logically, sans-serif fonts–Helvetica as the case in point–do not have serifs. In various settings–most digital text, logos, and small pieces of writing–where undeniable clarity and directness are necessary, sans-serif fonts are useful. Helvetica, as seen by many graphic designers around the world, is the best sans-serif typeface. It transforms messy and jumbled text into something clear and beautiful.

Despite this large reception, Helvetica is not the end-all typeface. Several typographers despise Helvetica. For them, it is overused and conformist. Some attribute it to mass-socialism, the Vietnam war, and other things they hold with negative connotations. One typographer, Erik Spiekermann, claims that Helvetica is like fast food. Everybody uses it because its cheap and easy, but who cares if its crap?

I’ll let you take your own stance on the issue. Regardless of the typeface’s fame or infame, Helvetica is here to stay. When something is so simple and elegant, there is little reason to replace it. Trends will change, so many logos will likely revamp their fonts, but Helvetica as an industry standard and default for clarity and readability will be conserved.

So let’s start a new version of “I Spy” and find Helvetica. We won’t have to look far; it’s easier to spot than Waldo.

Living on the Edge (of Paper)

Justin & Ersun Leave a comment

I’ve been a part-time student of minimalism for about a year now. My living space has been stripped to the essentials, my number of possessions has decreased, and I’ve employed pretentiously simple fonts on my website. So yeah, I’ve become that guy.

at least i dont boycott uppercase letters and punctuation right?

Anyway, despite my obsession with minimalism, I’m also a pragmatist. In my studies (scouring r/minimalism), I’ve  stumbled across some problems regarding logistics. Houses, and living spaces in general, seem to be one of the major obstacles to overcome in regards to minimalism. As modern-day humans in America, we take up a great deal of space–more so than we need to survive. For the aspiring minimalist, a feeling of hypocrisy may settle as she realizes the obscene amount of space she consumes in her residence. But most of this is outside of her control; apartments only offer a such small rooms and lots in neighborhoods often have expansive lawns and wide garages. It’s frustrating, as a minimalist, to live in such spacious areas. It would be wonderful to live on the edge of paper–in the peripheral spaces unused by the general public. While only a dream in America, this is a Japanese reality.

tinyhouse

Many of these tiny houses have popped up in recent years. They’re called kyoushou juutaku in Japan and are designed to make use of liminal spaces, such as odd gaps between larger buildings or narrow strips of land beside roads. This phenomenon, while quite un-American in their small size, are actually inspired by the Western ideals of independence and home-ownership. Globalization has exposed the Japanese to the “glory” of an American lifestyle, and they have appropriated an aspect of that culture into their own. While the complications of this influence are obviously too numerous for the sake of this blog post, there’re some cool things to learn from this.

The first is a matter of zoning. Considering most cities have restrictions on the lot-size one can sell or lease, opportunities for these tiny houses are limited to certain regions. Be under city or county jurisdiction or at the discretion of the civil engineers who define the infrastructure of a city, tiny houses can only appear if they are permitted. Once something exists somewhere, however, the opportunity for it to spread exists as well. If tiny houses grow become popular in Japan, minimalists around the world may one-day mimic their beauty.

The second pertains to economy and environmentalism. When cities enable their land to be used in the most efficient manner, the population of cities can increase, which correlates to a more active economy and less urban sprawl. With more people concentrated in a city, less space will be needed for suburbs and the carbon cost of commuting. Tax rates rise and more money is spent and circulated within city limits. These micro-homes can be loved by capitalists and environmentalists alike.

The third is art. While creativity is often seen as thinking outside of the box, these minimalist houses suggests that a greater creativity lies in thinking within the box. Building livable homes under tight constraints calls for a greater ingenuity and imagination than those creating on a blank canvas. Working with microscopic lot sizes, designers of mini houses generate unique and elegant solutions to transform vacant and unused spaces into welcoming homes. This movement challenges us to think not in terms of grandiosity, but in terms of class. More elegance is required to build a small house or write a short letter. The rise of kyoushou juutaku will push the limits of architecture and inspire a wave of minimalist ingenuity. Residents of tiny houses do not only live on the edge of paper, but in art itself.

The Benefits of Brevity

Justin & Ersun Leave a comment

Je n’ai fait celle-ci plus longue que parce que je n’ai pas eu le loisir de la faire plus courte. – Lettres Provciales, 1657

When translated by French mathematician and philosopher, Blaise Pascal, the English language was given the sentiment:

If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.

One of the most difficult endeavors in writing is brevity. To condense dozens of complex thoughts is a masterful art. When these ideas are not tethered, they run rampant and flow for thousands of words, consuming unnecessary space and time, galloping back in repetitious circles around themselves, repeating for dozens of statements, filling pages that need not be filled and robbing precious minutes from the reader; flowing, unrestrained, for innumerable unending sentences.

For most writing and communication, less is more.

Long and complex sentences are like an overgrown garden. Some careful maintenance can bring out the beauty. Consideration of each word can illuminate thoughts to the reader. Words can paint pictures when their presence is not overbearing. To cultivate this art, one must be mindful of one’s language. Masters of brevity select the most appropriate words and arrange them in precisely the manner needed to convey their thoughts. There is no clutter. There is no waste. Each word contributes to the sentence as a whole. No vestigial verbiage is employed.

When in a hurry, as we so often are, we neglect the power of our words. We fumble, uttering improper things, and blur the message we wish to share. The receivers of our words are left to untangle the muddled cluster we amalgamated. Unbridled language creates extraneous words; increasing the length our message, distorting its content, and diluting its impact. A careless use of language is disrespectful to whom we communicate. We are generating unneeded problems for others to solve. It is common courtesy to unscramble one’s own mess before passing it over to a peer.

A wordsmith takes the time to reflect on his thoughts before pressing pen to paper or lip to tongue. Like a sage carpenter, he measures twice, cuts once. He outlines his ideas, fleshing out their ancillary details, and snips away the excess. The product is lean and clean. It is accessible and beautiful. It is not sparse nor lacking, but compact and fulfilling, economical and precise. The craft of brief language is a skill worthy of one’s pride.

It is an art we can all learn to practice.

Confucianism the Literal Cure for the Can’t Philosophy

Justin & Ersun Leave a comment

That title.

No.

I can’t.

I CANNOT.

Literally dying.

I turned 21 today, so I suppose I am one year closer to literally dying. But I’d like to think I have many more years of literally living to get done before that. Many more years of constructing a better version of myself. Fingers crossed.

While Tumblr has bred a generation of people who can’t, some classic Wuchang Confucianism should offer a notable cure.

Confucius, whose name does not predate the English word “confusion”–fear not verbophobes–was a Chinese philosopher who taught an ethical system that holds prominence in the modern Eastern world. Coined Confucianism, this complex train of thought can be seen as a form of religion that revolves around continual personal improvement. The premise of these teachings is that humans, while innately flawed, are impressionable and improvable creatures. This concept–the possibility that humans can eliminate their flaws–is unlike the common-held assumption that humans are eternally imperfect beings. Through individual and communal endeavors, Confucian thought firmly believes that human beings can transcend their imperfections. To believe that man is eternally flawed and can never achieve perfection is extremely pessimistic, no matter the perspective. To enact hope in the potential of self-creation is arousing.

So, rather than conform to the learned helplessness of the “I can’t” philosophy, consider investing effort into classical Wuchang Confucianism. This practice involves five simple elements:

仁 – Ren – Humanity

義 – Yi – Righteousness

禮 - Li – Ritual

智 – Zhi – Knowledge

ä¿¡ – Xin – Integrity

Since much of Cantism (the “I can’t” philosophy) revolves around feelz (emotions), which are a part of humanity, Confucianism is a simple means to a paradigm shift. When there are too many feelz to cope with, many contemporaries drift into the unfortunate hopelessness of Cantism, as they feel that they are too flawed to ever can. While this admittance of defeat resonates with the honest base of Confucianism, the negative attitude is wholesomely nonconstructive.

You never heard Bob the Builder say “I can’t.” His can-do Confucian attitude led him to complete innumerable construction projects.

By using the logic of humanity, one can learn to not only accept the flaws of mankind, but embrace the potential to improve them. Ren and Yi are the cornerstones to a productive attitude, as these elements focus on doing the right thing for the greater good. The tools to enact these values lie in disciplined ritual, Li, and an understanding of the world, Zhi. When the core of these elements is directed with wholesome intentions, Xin, one can began to cultivate himself into a better individual and overcome the obstacles that once hindered his growth.

Living a constructive life is skillful art, but it can be done.

Jigsaw Puzzles & Other Pointless Things

Justin & Ersun 1 Comment

People say that puzzles are good for the mind. Doing puzzles helps with memory and cognition and problem-solving ability. Puzzles are just all-around good things to keep the mind “sharp.” Whether it be Sunday newspaper crosswords, Sudoku books, Rubik’s cubes, or jigsaw puzzles, these are great workouts for the mind. They are an excuse to keep it active, but for what point? Upon completion of a Sudoku grid or crossword, a momentary feeling of accomplishment is aroused and you feel great. But why? You have accomplished nothing. You completed a mentally stimulating (questionable) task and nothing changes. Most puzzles are about as useful as this list of useless objects that can be considered art (although many of these are admittedly quite clever and mildly inspirational).

One of the most interesting products available for sale is puzzle glue–an adhesive used to preserve completed jigsaw puzzles so that you may frame your hard work and hang it from a wall like a taxidermized animal head. Jigsaw puzzles exist for a feeling of false accomplishment. They were once complete pictures that were later divided into hundreds of little pieces for the purpose of being put back together again. They could be about the journey–the process of rebuilding a purposefully deconstructed image–and the end product/destination is irrelevant, but at what point does the time investment of completing these puzzles become selfish? Economically, the opportunity cost is quite astounding, but what’s the big deal?–it’s just a puzzle. The amount of energy spent to turn a pile of cardboard pieces into a complete image could have many better uses. Completing a jigsaw and returning it to its box is a circle of pointlessness intended to sharpen one’s mind. A spinning whetstone sharpens swords in the same circular motion.

At the end of the day, the glued-together puzzle on the wall could have been made without dividing it into a thousand pieces and putting it back together and coating it in adhesive. If the mind needs to be sharpened, there are plenty of problems in the world to be solved and plenty of constructive projects to improve mental acuity. But this sounds stressful and fun-sucking. To compare a relaxing process and the gamut of unsolved global issues is absurd. The mental challenge of solving larger problems, while good exercise for the mind, does not return the relaxing results that a simple jigsaw puzzle affords. These pointless puzzles offer a form of meditation, almost. They provide a goal, although not that important in the scheme of things, but a goal nonetheless. In order to achieve the goal, a series of small, and slightly mindful tasks are required. Puzzles, in all their self-serving existence, can be a therapeutic means to mental health. The impracticality of solving these playful problems is globally sinful but personally enriching.

Writers on Rails

Justin & Ersun Leave a comment

A series of 140 character messages sparked Amtrak to consider a new opportunity for writers. As individual wordsmiths began to collectively tweet about their love of writing on trains, the #AmtrakResidency idea developed. Months later, Amtrak is now offering a two to five day on-board residency program for writers. Moving across the American countryside as they draw ink across pages, these 24 individuals will be sponsored by the company to pursue their creative passions on rails. Amtrak is offering a sleeper car with a desk and amenities to each writer. If you are reading this post on this blog, it is likely that you have an interest in the written word–or at least believe in its ability to be a medium for art–so consider applying to the program here.

Amtrak Residency

Imagine sitting in motion. Your mind is moving while your body is still, with the exception of your hand scribbling words on a page. The train is moving, the country stationary. You are still within the train but are carried with it. No physical effort is required on your part. You are travelling, but there is no destination. The only goal is mental. A blinking cursor that your want to keep moving as words are left in its wake or a series of lines and letters being drawn upon a sheet of paper as your mind dances between the concrete and abstract, trying to form art in the wake of your fingertips. Constant inspiration outside the window above your desk–always moving, not pausing for a moment. Not predetermined, no plot, not rehearsed, no acting, and not fabricated, no screen. An authentic experience that stimulates your mind and forces you into thinking–moving over mental barriers, unobstructed by writer’s block, continuing to push forward, vomit more words, and make progress while moving nowhere. The train deposits you where it picked you up and you have a heap of words in your hands when the rails screech.

There is something about motion that is stimulating. It is romantic, exciting, filled with uncertainty and new experiences. This dynamic and nomadic lifestyle is foreign for many. Most of us live in stable homes with solid roofs and steady incomes and scheduled meals. Living in motion–like on a train–is not a lifestyle for most, but an activity with a beginning and an end. While the Amtrak Residency program is a wonderful opportunity to embrace the beauty of motion and stimulate the mind into creative productivity, it is not a lifestyle. It is a vacation, a dynamic oasis, that can produce desired written works, but it does not hold the bold romanticism of a nomadic lifestyle. To leave behind the stability of a normal life and take up the romanticized lifestyle of motion has many unknown futures. This continued motion and instability may offer even greater inspirations for an unsettled mind.

Hop on a train with no destination.