Used in situations where two adjacent characters would bump into each other, there are two types of ligatures, standard ligatures and discretionary ligatures.

Most people are acquainted with the ampersand, the celebrity of the ligature world, but that is comparable to the ability to identify Jim Morrison–it doesn’t mean you know the entire Doors discography nor the history of Classic Rock. Knowledge of design holds a certain amount of cultural capital in our society, and although some seem to have a certain proclivity for it, for most it takes effort, training and practice to speak it fluently.

We had a recent situation where a client wasn’t versed in design language and we failed to interpret. In this particular situation, the kerning (space between letters) came into question. Actually, the design had been kerned, but it was re-kerned and resubmitted only to have it returned with the same comment. As a designer being able to take criticism is a required skill, but there is no guarantee that a client has the vocabulary to communicate the issue. Resolution finally came when we switched to the telephone and were able to ask the client to point out the problem, it turned out that the “letter spacing issue” was that the “f” and “i” were touching.

It was a ligature.

To us, it was design love and attentiveness; to them, it looked like an error. We were speaking different languages. The fact that the client did not know what a ligature was flew under our radar, but had we stepped back from their initial comment and considered its context we may have saved time and irritation for us all.

So why hasn’t the ligature passed into the realm of common visual vernacular? Why don’t they feel as natural to clients as layouts designed with the golden ratio? One reason ligatures have not saturated the designscape is that in recent history many typefaces did not included them, so the designer had to choose to change faces, or create them by hand. However, with the dominance of OpenType, this seems to be a problem of the past as many typefaces are equipped with a large variety ligatures. Another force working against the pervasiveness of the ligature is the designer’s nightmare–the dreaded word processing program. Fortunately, fixes have been created for Pages and you can now choose to “use ligatures” and Microsoft Word 2010 has added support for OpenType ligatures, (for help enabling them you can find a tutorial here).

Technical functionality is not the only hinge when it comes to ligature use; personal taste is also a factor. To some, the use of ligatures is on par with the choice of serif or sans. With roots in early writing, some see ligatures as carrying a certain rare elegance, adding class and refinement to text. On the opposing side, some view them as antiquated, traditional and superfluous. Lovers of the ligature will argue that they are not merely ornamental, but efficient, replacing two letters with one and simultaneously increasing legibility–exuding the modern ideals of form following function.

Ligatures are a decision that every designer must make for themselves. To me, they are something special; so efficient, so thoughtful, so graceful, so salacious–and when I come upon them in life, I can’t help but smile, as I imagine two letters making love.

So we pose the question to you, are ligatures an element of typographic style you cannot live without? Should we as designers come together and create guidelines for their use? Or, are they archaic and a tradition that needs updating or better yet, to just go away?

Nearly everyone knows we’re partial to small furry critters (which reminds me, we need to have another Hamster Party soon) as well as passionate foodies. But we seldom get to combine our love of food and rodents, though we’ve been told folks down south still enjoy a tasty Squirrel now and again.

Now’s the time to elevate that most tasty of tree dwelling, nut-lovers, the mighty squirrel, to its rightful place on our dinner table. So grab your rifle—don’t forget to check your safeties—and let’s go hunting for fresh meat to make squirrel sandwiches with! That’s right, squirrel! If you want to really take it to the next level, here’s a video demonstrating how to make squirrel melts! Don’t forget to add some pecans ’cause you know how much squirrels like nuts! Perfecto!

They make great weekend snacks! Nutritious and tasty too!

Fame and fortune oftentimes brings trouble for those not grounded enough to handle it. Hell, even then the most innocent and well-intentioned have fallen into the dark side. Probably tough enough for a human to stay on the straight and narrow, so it’s not all that surprising when you are already vermin. Such as when Steve the Ginger Squirrel of Bo Selecta fame gets into a little hot water in his Ferrari…

Actually, this scene is from a Flickr set called Squirrel Stories. A woman whose yard was overrun by squirrels sets them up for often hillarious scenarios and then catches them in action. Good for a Monday morning smile, but kind of making me hungry too.

Let’s face it: Gary Hustuit’s documentary Helvetica was a runaway hit. I certainly didn’t expect so many designers and non-designers alike to get so goofy about a film about a typeface. Building on his success and reputation as a top drawer documentary filmmaker and design aficionado, Gary Hustuit is planning on doing again—this time with a look inside the world of industrial design. Called Objectified, this feature-length film is described on its promotional website as:

a look at the creativity at work behind everything from toothbrushes to tech gadgets. It’s about the people who re-examine, re-evaluate and re-invent our manufactured environment on a daily basis. It’s about personal expression, identity, consumerism, and sustainability. It’s about our relationship to mass-produced objects and, by extension, the people who design them.

Through vérité footage and in-depth conversations, the film documents the creative processes of some of the world’s most influential designers, and looks at how the things they make impact our lives. What can we learn about who we are, and who we want to be, from the objects with which we surround ourselves?

The film is still in production and slated for an early 2009 release. If it’s as well researched and produced as Helvetica was, it’s destined to be another resounding success. I can’t wait to see it.

Today Rogers Wireless formally announced their iPhone package rates. Set to be available July 11th, this is the newest 3G iPhone 2.0 for $199 for the 8GB or $299 for 16GB. Plans start at $60, and frankly, seem pretty decent all things considered, though I’m not keen on paying more on top of that for caller id functionality.

I wouldn’t consider myself an early adopter exactly. I tend to ride out technology to somewhere mid-life cycle to avoid the glitches and high costs normally associated with being the first kid on the block with the latest and greatest. And in some respects might even be considered a downright Luddite when it comes to really maximizing the features of my three year old Motorola Razr, but you know, it does what it’s supposed to really well.

I also really like the slim, sleek Razr, especially come summer when it slips into my shorts or shirt pocket and I can barely tell it’s there. Yet, I want (read: have to have) an iPhone. Admittedly, I’m a member of the Apple cult. I can’t imaging life without a Mac. We have them here and always buy Apple stuff when it’s time. I still don’t get why my parents have a PC, and it drives me crazy whenever I get asked to help them with it.

So, iPhone, why do I want you so? Well, I don’t like carrying three devices if I can help it, and you can replace my Nano as a music player. You’re also going to integrate seamlessly with my MacBook, iTunes and iPhoto. I like that. Warning: if you see me, I’m going to whip it out and start showing you pictures of my new daughter. So cute. Oh, and you are small, slim and not going to make people wonder if I’m carrying a phone in my pocket or just happy to see them.

Will I use all the features? Max out my data plan? Respond to emails and text messages any more responsively. Probably not. Will I line up at a store for my black 16GB. Not bloody likely. But, Rogers, I am coming your way. Sorry Telus.

UPDATE:
Okay, I actually analyzed what I am paying and getting from TELUS and what it will cost me for the same at Rogers, and admittedly, the pricing is not competitive. So much so that I’m going to wait until there is a better plan. Seems Apple feels the same way, and has not only diverted Canadian supplies of the 3G iPhone to Europe, but is also not going to sell then in Canadian Apple stores this Friday. Speculation is that Apple is pissed off that Rogers is gouging Canadian consumers. Read more here.

There is one thing I know all designers love; freaking sexy business cards. Here’s a site that will definitely get you thinking about redesigning your own card or at least get you itching to do something.

If I was asked who Stefan Sagmeister was a week ago, I could’ve given a handful of knee-jerk descriptions; he’s a designer, he’s provocative, he’s influential. I could’ve said many things to describe the icon he has become, but I would have failed to mention that he’s human.

“Everybody who is honest is interesting.”

On Friday afternoon, Mark came in with Stefan Sagmeister. Introductions were made, jokes ensued and instantly he blends into the sarcasm of the studio. He even played along with a prank and signed our poster “with a kiss”. He’s well-spoken, he’s curious, he has so many observations, and so many interesting things to say. I don’t know what to think of this man. He seems normal, he seems approachable, and he seems real. And it occurs to me that this is the same designer Mark taught us about in school years ago. He’s right in front of me. The whole time I wonder, “Did you actually etch conference details into your skin?

While the GDC members and the guest of honor were out for dinner, I had been eagerly anticipating the presentation, thanks to our brief encounter. The venue was filled with energy upon arrival. Those lucky enough to get tickets enjoyed drinks and food, while others stood in line hoping to get tickets and stand at the back. Amid all of this, the man everyone is waiting to see slips out, for a smoke, and invited me along. Saying, “I’ll smoke, you don’t have to.”

Our conversations flowed from race, to photography, to children, and to culture. In that brief moment I caught his thoughts on independence, his journeys around the world, and questioning why the Chinese are growing in power. It made it easier to confirm his stance on the design industry in New York, “If you are a designer with a really well-done portfolio, New York is the place to be.” Two cigarettes and a carrot stick later, the show must begin.

After an intro story about sea elephants and blowjobs, Sagmeister captures everyones attention by yelling “Shut the fuck up!” into the mic. He dove into a studio profile: music business design (a music building ‘Casa de Musica’ logo approach), socially responsible design (Pentagon squandering with creative approaches, the pig car train and topsy-turvy bus), and corporate design (a lighting company corporate report using same embossed relief of a flower under many lighting conditions).

At this point I’m building a large interest on seeing these pieces in real life, not on the screen or magazines. If only a Canadian organization can commission a project, I won’t need to fly to Lisbon or New York.

The pace was steady, the audience was enchanted. His energy heightened as the second half approached, Sagmeister switched to his series, “Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far.” To document Sagmeister’s inspirational qualities is a bit of a chore, he truly is someone you have to meet to understand. One of the messages he did refresh for me, was the importance of representing internal reflection in creative ways. It doesn’t take much, just a little time and “schwoopdeeboop,” you might end up with something great.

Before the presentation was over, his books were all sold, and the line up for autographs had begun. There is mystery and hype surrounding Sagmeister, but there are no smoke and mirrors involved in his work. What he does and how he does it has a certain flavour, but when it comes down to it he isn’t a celebrity designer with an attitude, in person, he’s just like anyone else. An equal amount of people support and oppose his work; there are other designers that are provocative and inspiring. Although design used to equal fart, the truth of the matter is that Sagmeister dances on the tightrope between art and design.

If you’re in any field related to art or design, you very likely know who Syd Mead is—the artist primarily responsible for the look and feel of influential movies such as Aliens, Blade Runner, Tron and others. Well, as a volunteer on the SIGGRAPH board I had been sent to run a couple errands for an event we’re hosting tonight and it was a bit of a surreal jolt for me yesterday as I realized that I not only had film cans in the back of my car containing a print of Blade Runner: The Final Cut but that Syd Mead himself was sitting in the passenger seat next to me after picking him up at the airport. Wow. On the ride into town I found Mr. Mead to be warm, charming and with a terrific sense of humour. You can hear and meet the “Visual Futurist” yourself at tonight’s event in Vancouver—including watching Blade Runner in a large theatre the way it was meant to be viewed with its Art Director in the audience.

Information and tickets available online at www.siggraph.ca.

That’s right, I’m blogging about American Idol. Deal with it. I watch it in passing (never longer then 30 seconds at a time) with the same fascination that I watch my dog lose a fight with a chain saw or my left foot hacked up for human sashimi. A lot of my pent up anger and frustration with process and seemingly endless praise for mediocre wanna-be B level cocktail lounge crooners stems from the fact that the contestants aren’t very good.

There’s a musical term called Melisma which is singing one syllable on more then one note. There’s a great article in the New York Times (2003) called The State of American Singing As Heard on ‘I-I-I-I-I-I-Idol that compares classic singers (Ray Charles) to every modern wanna be on their use of melisma’s. It’s an interesting take on the comparison between good and god-awful new and old.

Enter an open source firmware upgrade to the Canon Camera. Available to a selection of Canon consumer cameras this firmware upgrade unlocks a lot of features that the hardware, but not the default software, supports. Features such as support for RAW (yesssssssss…….), histograms, script execution and more. Something I’m going to check out this weekend for sure. Maybe it’s time to start braggin about that other mother again…