Marian Bantjes is a Vancouver-based designer and artist whose work with patterns is unlike anything else out there. (Anything contemporary that I’ve seen, anyway). Some of her work is painted (and another), some drawn by hand, some printed, and some silkscreened, but to my eye it all has a very consistent senibility, with a light touch and sense of humor hidden under its complexity. My favorite piece of hers is a lush set of titling caps drawn for Rick Valicenti’s Playground.
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Awesome!
Is she working on a typeface?
Very nice.
Reminds me of Lee Schulz’s fonts.
hhp
Marian is also the creator of our Speak Up T-shirt. And an avid author too.
Freakishly talented lady.
Her Illuminations for Rick are some of the best design “things” ever. Glad she’s getting some props in the finest of typographic blogs.
Aw shucks … thanks!
Is she working on a typeface?
In a manner of speaking, yes. I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say, but in collaboration with a friend … er, something will be … uh, coming soon to … umm … a place near you.
I actually don’t have the knowledge to make a typeface on my own, but if I did, I would unleash something truly diabolical on the world.
(She says.)
Marian, will you marry me? I love your work, and I want to have your babies…
It’s simply gorgeous stuff. I once said the Armin Vit was “bit by the rococo pixie“. Perhaps that bitmap goddess was Marian in spirit, now one of Speak Up‘s regulars.
I also like her use of type on the calendar. Is that Joanna?
Is that Joanna?
Nope, Eureka & Eureka Sans.
> the Armin Vit
That’s right Stephen: The Armin Vit. Look out The Donald� sorry, unexpected typos like that tend to throw me into laughter fits.
> Perhaps that bitmap goddess was Marian in spirit
I think that’s what lured Marian in.
I think once you’re interviewed by Emigre you’re entitled to have the definite article appended to your name.
I think once you get into Emigre you�re entitled to have the definite article appended to your name.
Stop feeding the ego! Next thing you know, he’ll just be going by one name or initials. ;-)
And back on topic, Marian’s work is, indeed, beautiful. The intricacy in her illustrations is mind-boggling and humbling. I also appreciate that she is upfront about her diabolical plans.
Marian, at the risk of inflating your ego, I too, think that your work is awesome, gorgeous, beautiful, mind-boggling and humbling… and very deserving of a Typographica post!
Can’t wait to see that unmentionable something that is coming soon.
:-)
Hey, someone I know is famous on Typographica! Hi Marian.
I�m not sure how much I�m allowed to say, but in collaboration with a friend � er, something will be � uh, coming soon to � umm � a place near you.
I think you can say a bit more than that ;)
unmentionable something
I think you can say a bit more than that ;)
Hi John!
Yes, I can. Sorry .. it’s not my project — I mean it is, but it’s not, so I wasn’t sure, but I have permission to spill the beans.
Earlier this year I worked up a set of ornaments for Ross Mills’ (Tiro Typeworks) Plantagenet Novus (one of my favourite fonts�I use it all the time). And it is, if I do say so myself, bitchin’, complicated and um, just really, really great. (I think.)
Ross has been working on refining the characters and building the font and he’s doing a beautiful job. So I brought the insanity, and he’s making them elegant.
If you follow that link and wait for the scrolling type to reach the end you’ll see a couple of them–but there’s more, so much more.
He has decided to release it as a stand-alone font, and I just … can’t wait!! (Is that too effusive and self-congratulatory for this forum? I hope not.)
Thanks for all your kind words.