I am currently redesigning this site and am spending hours pouring through typefaces looking for inspiration. Finding the perfect Type for this project is a lot like dating to find the right guy to settle down with. I have pretty high standards, it has to look pretty fine, but it has to have a Bad Ass personality. Over the last few days I have found some typefaces that are really nice catches… just not for THIS project. I would like to take the time and introduce you guys to each other, who knows… maybe you all will hit it off.

Pelso

A sturdy thin typeface that looks lovely large, I recommend Pelso for those who need “a lot of space”.

Bello

Bello is a versatile script that can be dressed up or down with its ligatures and small caps. It is a little pricier than the other 4, but it is well worth the investment.

Great Circus

This typeface is old-timey antique with a modern grunge feeling. The right application of Great Circus can make or break a piece, use with caution.

Dubby

Though this isn’t technically a “typeface” this vector alphabet frees you from the type tool and allows you to arrange the letters as shape. The right application of Dubby can turn any message into one with personality.

Insignia

Neville Brody designed this typeface for Arena Magazine. It has beautiful hard geometric edges accented with unexpected curves. I am just looking for where to use this typeface.

Surfers are constantly thinking about catching their next wave. A secret spot is when they find an awesome break that is hidden from the world….. where they can float amongst the waves, relax, be inspired, and get away from the hustle and bustle of the better known beaches. Just as surfers are looking for that wave, I am always looking for that typographic groove… that spot where all the elements come together in harmony to give a design that little extra something.

People look for inspiration all over the place; there are countless web galleries, flickr sets, lists, and design magazines, but when I really just want to get away from it all and find something different I turn to the surf community. Already known as a place for great design and fantastic photography, there is some really interesting typography being used. Here are some of my favorite spots…

I am a big fan of Jeff Canham’s retro style. His t-shirts, fabric prints, logos, and signage throw me back to another time… a time that I am too young to have actually ever experienced…perhaps that is why it is such a warm and fancifulness feeling that I get inside.

Thomas Campbell is about to release his 3rd surf movie (The Present) in a series of films that take a unique approach to documenting surfing as a lifestyle. When watching Sprout its hard to not notice the carefully crafted handwriting all throughout the film. Check out the lettering in the trailer for a taste of what the movie is like.

With bookshelves full of surf magazines (Courtesy of Jim), its hard to ignore the fantastic type throughout every issue. While I love the clean classic layout of The Surfers Journal, Surfing Magazine has a wide range of really creative typography. Check out this flickr set I put together.

Recently at Viget Labs, we had a Flash Mob where members of the design team spent 4 hours making desktop wallpapers to give away on the blog. This gave me the idea to design a few Bad Ass Wallpapers for this blog. It was a lot of fun, enjoy!

Below I cropped each one in just a bit, be sure to download the size you need to see the full view.

• 1920×1200
• 1680×1050
• 1600×1024
• 1440×900
• 1280×1024
• 1280×800
• 1024×768
• iphone

• 1920×1200
• 1680×1050
• 1600×1024
• 1440×900
• 1280×1024
• 1280×800
• 1024×768
• iphone

• 1920×1200
• 1680×1050
• 1600×1024
• 1440×900
• 1280×1024
• 1280×800
• 1024×768
• iphone