Typography in Film and Television
01. Futura in The Royal Tenenbaums
Futura is a geometric sans-serif typeface, designed by Paul Renner in the 1920s, and it’s been used cleverly in film. "Wes Anderson embraced Futura like no else in his movies (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Moonrise Kingdom) using its structured yet playful nature to complement his meticulously designed worlds," explains Julio Zukerman, type designer at Type of Feeling.
02. ITC Benguiat in Stranger Things (2016-)
It’s hard to think about typography and screen in unity and not conjure up the defining image of Netflix other the last few years – the Stranger Things splash screen. Not only has the TV show itself become a cultural phenomenon, its use of ITC Benguiat for the title sequence is a significant part of its appeal and the emphasis on nostalgia and days gone by.
03. Papyrus in Avatar (2009)
If you’ve seen Ryan Gosling’s SNL sketch about the use of Papyrus in Avatar (above), you’ll not be surprised that to this day, this remains one of the most controversial typeface choices in film history. Designed by Chris Costello in 1982, Papyrus is known for its textured, calligraphic style that evokes a sense of the ancient and the exotic.
04. Saul Bass Typography in North by Northwest (1959)
David Airey, who works with clients worldwide from an independent design studio in Northern Ireland, points out that the custom type designed by Saul Bass for Hitchcock’s 1959 film has become a classic example of iconic type in movies.
05. Courier in The Matrix (1999)
Over the years, there have been quite a few discussions around what exactly the font on Neo’s computer is, and the consensus that seems to make the most sense is that it’s Courier, a monospaced serif typeface that’s widely associated with typewriters and coding.
06. Kabel in Lost in Translation (2003)
Sofia Coppola is known for creating atmospheric worlds upon which choosing the right typeface can significantly affect the mood and style of viewing. Lost in Translation was her breakthrough hit, and the use of Kabel, a geometric sans-serif typeface designed by Rudolf Koch in 1927, plays a subtle but significant role in the title sequence of the film.
07. Aachen in Pulp Fiction (1994)
Aachen is a sturdy, blocky slab-serif typeface, known for its thick strokes and compact structure. Like the film Pulp Fiction, it demands attention, with a bold, loud and aggressive form that echoes the film’s unapologetic energy.
08. Cooper Black in Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
The typeface Cooper Black has a storied history. As well as being the font for the ‘Vote for Pedro’ shirts in Napoleon Dynamite, it also graced the cover of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds album and throughout the 20th century, could be seen on everything from sweet wrappers to advertising hoardings and shop front signs.
09. Albertus in the Prisoner (1967)
The Prisoner was a 1960s TV series that follows the story of ‘Number Six’, an unnamed British intelligence agent who before a planned trip abroad is kidnapped and trapped in a re-creation of his own home in a location known as ‘The Village.’ This mysterious location turns out to be a utopian nightmare – bright and cheery on the surface but controlled by an unseen authority.
Conclusion
The right typeface can convey a stunning sense of time, place, emotion, and genre, and from the classic to the contemporary, we’ve run through some of the most notable examples, exploring why they work so well.
FAQs
Q: What is the importance of typography in film and television?
A: The right typeface can convey a stunning sense of time, place, emotion, and genre, and from the classic to the contemporary, it can set the tone for the series or film.
Q: How do typefaces influence the mood and style of a film or television show?
A: Choosing the right typeface can significantly affect the mood and style of a film or television show, and it can be used to evoke a sense of nostalgia, mystery, or adventure.
Q: What is the significance of Papyrus in Avatar?
A: Papyrus is known for its textured, calligraphic style that evokes a sense of the ancient and the exotic, and it was used in Avatar to represent the alien world of Pandora.
