The trade of fine hand rendered sign writing in 2008 is rare. Sign writing is a vocation now littered trashy work, being superseded by vinyl letter cutting machines. As older businesses reinvent themselves, or close, examples of hand rendered sign writing are a disappearing from the street scape.

In the meantime enjoy this fine script and san serif found on Centre Road in Bentleigh.

The Parlour is a hairdresser in St Kilda renowed for being a little over the top. What other client would brief you to produce an appointment card that combines flouro yellow, flouro pink, and a holographic clear foil called shattered glass?

The Parlour’s identity is not one fixed type mark, more over it is made up of a layering of typemarks from all corners, all styles, and all varieties – we have even used an awkward typeface called Hobo. We felt that everyone has a unique look and this treatment states as much. Thanks again to Gunn & Taylor for the crazy printing. Signing and website to follow.

Visit the Parlour here

Pearl Café, the latest project from famed Pearl Restaurant and Bar in Richmond, asked the studio to develop an image for their inaugural and collateral for their winter menu. Chilly, clear, and deep winter sky came to mind, which was applied to this menu supergraphic, take-a-way menus and and business cards…

Richmond with its over supply of greasy spoon cafés and average coffee houses; the opening of Pearl Café is a welcome addition to Church street casual dining scene. Open 7 days, next door to Paperpoint, it pays to get in early – as many have caught the Pearl Café bug.

Visit pearlrestaurant.com.au

Friend of the studio – Glenn Zanatta is seeking a freelance web designer with strong design skills, a good understanding of user psychology and interface design, and some markup or programming ability. Email a PDF folio or links to work, to Glenn via email by visiting here.

Glenn you owe us a stack of user psychology and interface design, some markup and programming hours. We will cash them in soon.

Simon Pemberton, designer, educator, past National President of AGDA, has embarked on putting together a documentary of thirteen designers who shaped the graphic design profession in Australia. During 9-10 May 2008, Ken Cato, Mimmo Cozzolino, Garry Emery, Trevor Flett, Myriam Kin-Yee, David Lancashire, John Nowland, Brian Sadgrove, John Spatchurst, Neil Turner and Harry Williamson spent two days in Melbourne exploring their work, influences, and thoughts of the past, present and future. (Ian Kidd and Barrie Tucker were later filmed in Adelaide).

The filming has been supported by Swinburne University Film and Television School and the still photography by David Pidgeon and Andrew Ashton. The project is in need of financial support for the production of the final documentary and book. If you would like to support this project, please email Simon Pemberton at simon@graffiti.net.au

These stills were shot in low light at Lynch’s restaurant in South Yarra. Rather than formal portraits a voyeuristic approach seemed appropriate. The dining room was terrific – rich textures, mirrors, a crackling fire, velvet, high ceiling, a hostess and dim smoky light presented a curious collection of people in an engaging, honest and strange light.