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Typeface suggestions needed--what says "Ira Glass's voice" to you?
Posted by MissSeeSaw in
9 Feb 2009 — 5:29pm
9 Feb 2009 — 5:29pm
I'm working on a text-heavy video to accompany a "This American Life" segment, and still haven't quite found Ira's voice yet. I've spent quite a while looking and am ready for some outside suggestions.
For those who've never heard the show, check it out at http://www.thisamericanlife.org.
Thanks so much for any insights you can provide.
Edit: apparently em dashes aren't kosher in subject lines? I'll keep that in mind for the future.
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9 Feb 2009 — 6:58pm
Tall, condensed, with a quirky flair. Something that breaks up the rhythmic monotony.
9 Feb 2009 — 7:24pm
Good, George! And he has a classic formal side too, in his suit and tie. Maybe FF Lancé, FF Sanuk, Oranda, Dispatch, or Fairplex.
9 Feb 2009 — 7:48pm
Fairplex is very good. I wouldn’t have said tall. His voice is thin and precise, but soft. He’s so well spoken and right on top of his ideas, but likes the low, quirky side—in a detached way.
Maybe Bree Light would be a contender.
9 Feb 2009 — 8:43pm
I love Bree but I think it is a little too feminine for Ira.
9 Feb 2009 — 9:08pm
I put This American Life in the same category as McSweeney's, which has a very distinct typographic voice. Check out the magazine if you're not familiar with it.
9 Feb 2009 — 9:11pm
This American Life Parody
10 Feb 2009 — 3:59am
I love Bree but I think it is a little too feminine for Ira.
I had that same thought. I went to see him speak a few years ago. It may be generational, but he doesn’t project with a typical male bravado. He’s not androgynous—that’s not it—but is balanced maybe in a way that a generation that hasn’t been raised on macho can be.
This is a fun one.
10 Feb 2009 — 6:40am
I agree with George's choice of the word "quirky" - maybe Parry? To me it looks literary and quirky.
10 Feb 2009 — 8:03am
Great suggestion, Chris! And it has a sans companion if you want something without balls and feet.
10 Feb 2009 — 8:29am
I'd say the face is less important than the typesetting. I'd want it to be very loose, open, floating. That with a face that leans towards the lighter side would work for me.
10 Feb 2009 — 8:29am
This, BTW, would be a great idea for a student project.
10 Feb 2009 — 10:29am
> if you want something without balls and feet.
Stephen, I hope you're not implying anything about Ira . . .
10 Feb 2009 — 12:03pm
I saw his feet, FWIW.
10 Feb 2009 — 6:13pm
No implication implied at all. Was simply fun to type.
10 Feb 2009 — 9:07pm
There seems to be a disjunct between his voice, which is contemporary, and his visual style and the present graphics, which are retro-modern. So it's probably best to stick with the nostalgic look, and go for a face that was popular in mid 20th century America. Handwritten script is also a good way to suggest a voice.
10 Feb 2009 — 9:23pm
maybe take a que from his iconic glasses?
- Scott
10 Feb 2009 — 9:54pm
I like the Parry suggestion a lot. Continuing in that line of thought, you might have Archer. Somehow I see Newzald working as well.
10 Feb 2009 — 9:58pm
His voice makes me think of Proxima Nova. But Parry is quite a good choice, too.
10 Feb 2009 — 10:47pm
Archer is again too feminine and precious.
11 Feb 2009 — 5:32pm
Maybe we should ask him.
11 Feb 2009 — 7:01pm
Something tells me he would turn the question back on you while he was turning on his tape recorder.
11 Feb 2009 — 8:13pm
I did do this as a student project! I typeset an entire episode of the radio show. It took me weeks, but it was good exercise.
I used Syntax for Ira at the time.
13 Feb 2009 — 3:25am
I say Relay.
Someone should show him this thread. I can only imagine what it would be like to come upon a thread on a random forum discussing which typeface best represents my voice.
13 Feb 2009 — 9:16am
Handwritten script is also a good way to suggest a voice.
Like this?
I emailed the show. We'll see what happens.
13 Feb 2009 — 9:29am
I’ll add my vote to the Perry suggestion, and throw Dolly into the pot.
13 Feb 2009 — 9:38am
Oops. I mean to be quoting from Nick (Handwritten script is also a good way to suggest a voice.)--used the wrong tag.
13 Feb 2009 — 8:45pm
Archer or maybe even Silica
16 Feb 2009 — 8:54pm
Thanks for all the fantastic suggestions! My favorite at this point, by far, is Parry.
Any other takers?