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  • Historical question, regarding the letter "O" in type

    #1
    Hello! Just surfin' by... Since I once had an avid interest in graphic design and still admire it (though I never had quite enough creative abilities to do it as a job), I wanted to ask a question I have been wondering about for some time.

    I have seen a recurring GD text theme for some time, where the letter "O" in a title or banner is set about half size, often accompanied by a triangle or other dingbat underneath it. Examples include the album cover for Holy Water by Bad Company and a Nikola Tesla commemorative t-shirt (image viewable at http://www.ntesla.org/F98.JPG .)

    I was wondering if anyone is aware of the historical significance of the size reduction of the "o" and accompanying marks. I know a lot of GD standards are rooted in history - it always is fascinating to learn how certain things come about.

    Thanks!
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  • #2
    I wouldn't have any idea, but I would imagine it comes from the early stages of poster designs for things like "World Fair" and "Barnum and Bailey Circus" of course im going out on a limb here. not sure who or when it started to first appear.

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    • #3
      There are some Art Nouveau fonts that are like this. I guess Art Nouveau fonts are making a come back?


      This font called Rennie Mackintosh has the note attached to it:
      Based on the handwriting and drawings of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, an Art Nouveau architect and designer who worked in Glasgow, Scotland.



      And this font called Willow says this:
      A font in the Viennese Secessionist style, inspired by the work of Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
      So naturally, this search leads to here and here.
      Last edited by Buda; 12-13-2007, 10:26 PM.

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      • #4
        nice finds buda!

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        • #5
          I also vaguely remember that the famous Jeff Fisher had an o like that in at least 1 of his logos...

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          • #6
            Ahah!

            What Nots and Word Wright logos done by Jeff Fisher have those o's. Must be cool then!

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            • #7
              It would be nice to know the name of the "accompanying mark". Thats a great question, Desert Tripper. I can only imagine that the purpose of the mark, apart from being decorative, was to differentiate the o from 0, but there is no practical reason for this. I can't see any instance where the two would be used together, unless there is some sort of currency thing.

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              • #8
                I just had a thought; it might be a curious relic of a mixed alphabet, i.e. the latin alphabet.

                I think it is most likely just a decorative element.

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                • #9
                  Willow is one of my favourite typefaces! Of course, that could be the Art Nouveau bias talking.

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