Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Arts
Abstract
Since the late 1800s, vernacular letterforms have been vital components of the traditional shopfronts of Ireland, enlivening, place-making, and inspiring dialogue with streetscapes. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage identifies, records, and evaluates Ireland’s post-1700 architectural heritage. While the state initiative appraises architecturally significant shopfronts, it typically overlooks the critical signage element. This research aims to bridge this gap by documenting, mapping, and interpreting the existing vernacular letterforms in Kilkenny as a paradigm. Through the lens of heritage, the study seeks to construct a case for preserving, promoting, and advocating for vernacular letterforms and the traditional craft of signwriting. Signwriting straddles art, craft, and design dissolving creative hierarchies yet remains academically underexplored. Raising awareness and advancing the craft’s criticality may influence local and national policy. With the current economic climate threatening to permanently alter Ireland’s typographic landscapes, academic scrutiny of this rich graphic heritage has never been more crucial.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.51358/id.v20i2.1095
Recommended Citation
Maher Ring, Dee. 2023. “Typ.ologies: Reframing Ireland's Vernacular Letterform through the Lens of Heritage”. InfoDesign - Brazilian Information Design Magazine 20 (2). DOI: 10.51358/id.v20i2.1095.
Funder
Irish Research Council
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Publication Details
InfoDesign
International scientific journal published three times a year by SBDI - Brazilian Society of Information Design, since 2004.
Current Edition -
v. 20 n. 2 (2023):
Published: 2023-11-07 Paper presented at the 11th Information Design International Conference - CIDI 2023, organized by the Brazilian Society of Information Design - SBDI and the Academic Center of Agreste at the Federal University of Pernambuco - UFPE/CAA. This edition was held in an online format and will took place between November 6th and 10th, 2023, where the 20 years of the congress was celebrated.
https://doi.org/10.51358/id.v20i2.1095