Mixed Messages
‘Enjoy your stay’
This font has a style associated with themes of ‘history’ (such as Shakespeare, pirates, castles etc.) because of its traditional style. I think this is because this is a style of writing that was a standard with historical writing tools such as calligraphy pens and brushes. It works with the phrase ‘enjoy your stay’ because it’s a classic phrase in classical writing. This type of font would work well in an old-fashioned type establishment such as a hotel.
‘Do not feed the animals they are dangerous’
This font is all capital letters, which emphasises the importance of the message. The letters are large and bold which makes them clear and easy to read, again because the message needs to be read easily and quickly to prevent danger. However there is a more stylised way the letters are formed, with serifs detailing each letter, which suggests a less formal way of displaying the sign. It’s still serious, but also privately produced because there's no basic standard font like those on ‘official’ type signs.
‘We are professionals’
This writing is recognisable as a traditional typewriter font. Though I wonder if the source of this font is becoming less known due to modern technology! It’s still used in a wide range of typographical designs, it could almost be considered retro or vintage today. I think this font was chosen for the phrase to reflect the theme of ‘professionalism’ and maybe a more ‘office’ and academic type of establishment. I feel that although the phrase may be to reassure and promote the capabilities of the professionals, the font might seem a little informal and outdated in today’s world. It might work if the profession was not so much an administrative setting but a more creative one.
‘Luxury’
This font reminds me of traditional celtic style symbols, perhaps even ‘runes’ because of its almost ‘hand drawn’ style of the letters. Though, as they are consistent and uniform in shape and size, it's obviously a computerised font. I’m not sure it works with the word ‘luxury’ because it's in block capitals and not so ‘relaxed’ or ‘indulgent’ as the word would suggest. The word ‘luxury’ is aimed at trying to sell something as rich and lavish, and I feel that this font doesn't reflect that at all.
‘Hand made’
This is a very basic font and being all in lowercase letters, suggests a more friendly approach to signalling to customers that this product isn’t made in a standard factory. The sign itself is informal and the font is easily obtained by almost anyone, there is no punctuation or grammar in the sense that the words are not hyphenated or conjoined, nor is it given a capital letter ‘h’. All of this suggests that it's been produced by someone rather than a machine, and someone with perhaps less experience of standard labelling. I feel this font is a little too basic for use as advertising the quality of ‘handmade’ and a little too unprofessional, making me doubt the quality of the product in some way, even subconsciously.
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