Andrew Byrom Talk Evaluation

Andrew Byrom's TED talk, If h is a chair, sheds some light on the creation of a new typeface and the processes of which alter the end result.

Byrom starts off talking about our ability to recognise faces in type and in everyday objects. 
He then relates this ability or rather uses it to recognise letter forms in everyday situations. "Typographic facial recognition" he calls it. With this observation, he is able to create unique and interesting typefaces through everyday objects such as a chair or in faults like the uneven drawing of a blind curtain. 

This way of drawing inspiration highlights the fact that typography can come in any form and does not have to be limited on the drawings produced from pen and paper. By simply seeing one letter in the shape of a chair, he was able to extrude the necessary forms and created a typeface. 

After the creation this typeface physically, comments made on the faults within Byrom's work, particularly the issue of some letters not being able to free stand, led to him actively search for a material that constrained the overall design. The end result produced a typeface that was represented in freestanding neon tubing. (The process of which he arrives at this result can be found in the video below).

Therefore the constraints of producing, creating or how the typeface is used should not be seen as an obstacle. It should be an opportunity to work around those restrictions and to hopefully create something that works better than the original idea. 

Another way of thinking he touched upon was the ability to use typography alongside certain mechanisms of consumer goods. So not only is he drawing inspiration from everyday objects but he is also manipulating their uses towards typography as well.

TEDxUCLA - Andrew Byrom - If h is a chair