Commentary

Spam Lettering by Linzie Hunter

Stephen Coles on November 4, 2007

UK illustrator Linzie Hunter takes email spam subject lines and turns them into playful works of art. The series is a fine exhibition of her interest in a variety of lettering styles.

lonely-nights spam

your small breasts spam

repl1ka watches spam

If Ms. Hunter is listening, I’ve collected a few choice examples from my in-box that may be worthy of her treatment:

Please, do not delete the given message. Money obtained from spam will go to the help hungry to children in Uganda.

A Huge PR campaign is under way and the price is going to skyrocket.

Enjoy looking and feeling rich.

Positive changes in your s’e_xual life are not a chimera.

Ride upon the violent speed.

Don’t be inadequate anymore.

Our records show that you are interested in camping equipments.

Update: I was recently asked for suggestions of fonts that emulate Linzie Hunter’s style. In general it’s best to hire a lettering artist if you want authentic hand drawn flavor, but if a typeface is required here are a few decent options that emulate the look:

6 Responses to “Spam Lettering by Linzie Hunter”

Chris Lewis says:

11.04.07 at 6:22 pm

Though not type-related, Spamusement has a similar theme. The site’s tagline says it better than I can: “Poorly-drawn cartoons inspired by actual spam subject lines!” Some of them are truly inspired.
johno says:

11.05.07 at 3:40 am

This is one of those ideas I wish I had. It’s akin to taking junk off the street and turning it into art. Linzie’s idea is a great one, and well executed. I can’t believe this is the first I’ve heard of her.
Andrew Boardman says:

11.05.07 at 5:30 pm

Nice work. It reminds me of the beautiful, glorious typography and illustration of Margaret Kilgallen. She died at the young age of 33, of breast cancer.
James Arboghast says:

11.09.07 at 1:30 am

Linzie’s lettering is pretty, provocative, stimulating, different, jaunty, humorous and artful in unexpected ways. A shot in the brain for type designers — make us think, make us reassess and reexamine our conception of what lettering is.

It’s high time spam was subverted and made to look absurd. (much laughter) What a relief to know my small tits needn’t be the cause of my embarrassment ;^)
faca says:

11.17.07 at 8:52 am

muy buenas letras!!!
jonsel says:

12.10.07 at 2:39 pm

FYI, you can buy some of Linzie’s illustrations now on 20×200