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Our firm is working on an id for a restaurant/nightclub with a New Orleans + Mardi Gras theme. While doing research, we were curious about any fonts that may have that feel or be of that location (authentic?). In other words, are there any fonts more specific to New Orleans and/or the French Quarter? Would something French be appropriate? Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Addison
13 Jul 2004 — 12:23pm
Mo Funky Fresh?
Seriously, anything else you can tell us about the club? Does it want to seem old and grand or new and hip? What's the demo of the guests?
13 Jul 2004 — 12:47pm
The interior is the older French Quarter baroque/rococo style with a funky twist--ornate furniture, rich textures, and deep colors (at least that's what I'm told). I'm offering help to the designer working on this, and I think he's wanting to incorporate a mask or some other ornamental elements with the type. I feel like he's going for something more sophisticated...
As far as I know, the client hasn't offered any demographics.
13 Jul 2004 — 2:05pm
I've been in love with Baroque Text lately. When I think of funky-ornate, rich, and old, I think Baroque Text.
13 Jul 2004 — 2:17pm
I like it! It may be too ornate for the designer working on it, but I've passed it on anyway. Thanks for taking an interest.
-Addison
13 Jul 2004 — 3:34pm
i dunno about classy, but ravie always makes me think of mardi gras.
14 Jul 2004 — 5:45pm
y'know there is a popular New Orleans style restaurant out there called Copelands you should check out. I think they do a great job of design and branding.
Don't get sucked into using really over the top display fonts to wrap your brand around. I've seen too many Mexican restaurants that use Fajita as their headline . . .
I think a nice Jill Bell hand lettering job would be called for. Send her an e-mail . . .
My 2
14 Jul 2004 — 7:07pm
Try the New Orleans State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport. At
http://neworleanswebsites.com/cat/ar/mu/mu.html it says they
have "a large relief map, 49 feet in circumference, [that]
depicts Louisiana's typography"
15 Jul 2004 — 12:08am
I'd turn to Storm for Funk Baroquiness.
These italics don't mess around.
Serapion II
http://www.stormtype.com/serap.html
Slightly more regular: Regent II
http://www.stormtype.com/rege.html
Ancienne
http://www.stormtype.com/ancienne.html
15 Jul 2004 — 7:16am
Thanks for the help, everyone--this is the kind of stuff I was looking for. The Storm stuff went over really well, I don't know why I didn't think of that! Tiffany, I dig Vendome, too, but he didn't go for it.
Stuart, does Jill Bell have a website with samples?
Tom, are you serious? It says "typography" and not "topography?"
Thanks again,
Addison
15 Jul 2004 — 11:20am
>Tom, are you serious? It says "typography" and not "topography?"
Yep.
15 Jul 2004 — 11:20am
>Tom, are you serious? It says "typography" and not "topography?"
Yep.
That's got to be a typo. I think I'll email them--wouldn't that be cool if it is typography!
15 Jul 2004 — 11:42am
Modern typography in the French Quarter is about as easy as finding type consistency in Times Square. If you want the nostalgic French Quarter look, I'd recommend something hand-lettered with lots of swashes. Ancienne and the Copeland's restaurant (http://www.copelands.net/copelands/copeland.asp) are nice suggestions. Think Herb Lubalin's serif logotypes with a little less structure. Regardless, those are good suggestions up top. As for logos, here's the usual fare for the city: Fleur de Lis, crescent, and Mardi Gras masks
15 Jul 2004 — 1:42pm
You can also visit Jill's site at: http://www.jillbell.com
Stuart :D
14 Jul 2004 — 8:52am
maybe something a little more subtle like Vend
15 Jul 2004 — 10:30am
Beautiful Jill Bellness here.
She's a delightful person to boot. I'm sure she's great to work with.