Typeface and Presidential Campaigns
I’m a huge fan of good typeface and design. It’s a skill I’d love to have. But I’m afraid my only talent in that department is that of appreciation.
There is a great Q&A in Today’s NY Times on Obama’s campaign overall visual design and the Gotham typeface that is utilized. The article is well worth the read.
I thought this quote was entertaining:
I don’t think that Gotham adds any personality to Senator Obama’s brand. I think it just amplifies the personality that’s already there. In fact, the typeface would work just as well for John McCain or Hillary Clinton, for that matter.
With that said, though, there’s an oxymoronic quality to Gotham, which is why I think it’s become so popular. It has a blunt, geometric simplicity, which usually makes words feel cold and analytical (like Univers), but it also feels warm. It’s substantial yet friendly. Up-to-date yet familiar. That’s a tough hat trick. And Gotham has another quality that makes it succeed: it just looks matter-of-fact. But perhaps any typeface inspired by signs at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City — as Gotham is — will look like that.
Here are a few Obama design examples:
I love this button:
Nifty mobile signature graphic:
Hello. I am 
