Category Archives: Virtual Type Safaris

Drawing the typography of London with the Google Fonts team

The team from Google Fonts joined me to draw along with a Virtual London Type Safari. We explored the culture and history of a vibrant area in East London, discovering the secrets hidden in the signs over shops, pubs and buildings.

Some of the signs have been hidden for decades and tell stories about the area’s rich history. Many reflect the fashions of different eras—the 1800s, the 1920s, the 1970s and today. Some are practical and utilitarian, others are painted by hand. Look a little closer and many have revealing telltale characteristics for you to spot.

We paused at each sign to do a quick four-minute sketch of its letters. Each sign was paired with a song to bring its atmosphere to life. There were also sniffables and a surprise London-themed snack for one of the participants to try on-camera.

Would you like to book a draw-along Virtual London Type Safari with your team?
Start your journey here

Students do you wish you could study abroad this summer?

Join talented international students from USA, Canada, India and Australia who’ve had the unique experience of a virtual tour with Sarah Hyndman discovering the secrets hidden in London’s typography

Just because you can’t travel in person this year doesn’t mean that you can’t experience the culture, history and design inspiration that London has to offer. On a virtual Type Safari you’ll hear the stories behind the signs, discover the secrets hidden in the letters and you’ll find out what they reveal about centuries of London’s history.

Download a pdf brochure of live online sessions for colleges and universities.

Join Sarah Hyndman, author of the bestselling Why Fonts Matter for an immersive and creative tour of Dalston, a vibrant area in East London steeped in history.

•    You’ll learn about design history in the real world.
•    You’ll discover that typography is vibrant, exciting and it’s all around you (not just in academic books).
•    You’ll see how signage reflects changing cultural attitudes and what trends are popular today.

Private events from £600 (education discounts available).
Book a call to discuss your session.

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These are highly interactive sessions that take place live on Zoom. Participants are encouraged to engage with the virtual tour as they explore letterforms and the associations that have been baked into them. Type Safaris are suitable for all, no prior knowledge (or interest in) fonts is needed.

•    Compare East London with your local neighbourhood.
•    Spot the clues that tell you the history of the area.
•    Discover ornate signs previously hidden from view.
•    Find out whether you judge a shop by its sign.

Find out more.

 

Adobe MAX

Sarah took Adobe MAX delegates on a 20-minute virtual Type Safari through East London. 5,321 people watched the talk and gave Sarah a speaker score of 4.9/5).
Watch the talk on demand.

 

Sketchbook Type Safari

A Type Safari with a sketchbook challenge is available for colleges and universities, book a call to discuss your session.

Workshop clients

Sarah has created online workshops for students at Birmingham City University, Design Ventura, Design Museum London, Ecole Intuit Lab Mumbai & Kolkata, Elon University, North Carolina, Merrimack College, Massachusetts, Ravensbourne University London, Shillington UK & Australia.

She has created in person workshops for students at Arts University Bournemouth, Birmingham City University, California Polytechnic, CIS Abroad, Design Ventura, Design Museum London, EASD València, Ecole Intuit Lab Mumbai & Kolkata, Portland State University, RMIT Melbourne, Shillington UK, University of Bedfordshire, VIA University College Denmark, Wolverhampton University.

Sarah also taught Experimental Typography at the University of the Arts London for six years and has been a judge and jury president for the D&AD New Blood Awards.

Private events from £600 (education discounts available).
Book a call to discuss your session.

 

 

The psychology of fonts to the language of chocolate

Learn about the psychology of typography & the ‘secret’ messages hidden in plain sight. Learn as you drink at a fun and boozy social event. Learn about the language of chocolate wrappers or the history of type told in 10 record covers…

Did you join me for a virtual Type Safari through East London at Adobe MAX on Tuesday? Amazingly over 10,300 people signed up to join me and it’s now available on catchup here (free with Adobe CC). 

I’m excited to announce that I’ve been busy creating new interactive events for November and December. Check out the calendar of events here. I’m also getting booked up for private and corporate sessions as seasonal socials and professional development events; What’s Your Type? has been proving extremely popular. Please drop me a line if this interests you. 

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Sunday Type Safari for The Design Museum

Take part in #FontSunday for The Design Museum

Every week The Design Museum hosts #FontSunday on Twitter. I’m excited that I’m hosting this event on Sunday. I’d love to see the wonderful fonts that represent your activities for the day. What eye-catching logos, packaging, labels or signs do you plan to interact with?

Post your photos on Twitter from 12 noon with #TypeSafari @DesignMuseum. I’ll be chatting and sharing photos throughout the afternoon and The Design Museum will be retweeting their favourites. Take part and you could have your photos shared by The Design Museum!

We’d love to see the beautiful fonts that represent your activities for the day. What labels, mastheads or wrappers reveal your Sunday rituals? Post your photos from noon on Sunday.

Virtual Dalston Type Safari & sign spotting pub quiz

Discover the messages hidden in London’s street signs
1-hour Type Safari + 15-minute pub quiz + Q&A
Check out all the virtual talks and events here

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