Where the Wild Things are Font?
Introduction
For many children, the iconic story of "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak is a staple of childhood reading. The book, which was first published in 1963, has become a cultural touchstone, with its memorable illustrations and endearing characters captivating readers of all ages. But have you ever wondered what font was used to create that beloved book? In this article, we’ll explore the history of the font used in "Where the Wild Things are" and uncover some fascinating facts about its design.
The Early Years: Avery, Garamond, and Bodoni
The font used in "Where the Wild Things are" was created by American Type Founders (ATF), a company that specialized in designing and publishing fonts. In 1958, Sendak asked ATF to create a new font for his children’s book, which was commissioned by Harper & Row. The font, known as Batterum Gothic, was designed by Robert Batterum, an American type designer who was known for his unique and expressive fonts.
Batterum’s Batterum Gothic font was a combination of serif and sans-serif elements, featuring bold and playful lines that would later become a hallmark of the font. The font was originally designed as a display font, meant to be used for titles and headings, but it eventually found its way into the book illustrations.
The Illustrations: Lesage, Gill, and Bodoni
The illustrations for "Where the Wild Things are" were created by British illustrator Axel Scheffler, who was commissioned by Sendak to design the book’s iconic artwork. Scheffler’s illustrations feature the Wild Things in a range of playful and fantastical settings, from the forest to the bathroom.
One of the most interesting facts about the illustrations is that they were originally created using Escher’s Ascot, a type of elaborate, intersecting font that was popular in the 1950s. Scheffler has said that he was influenced by Escher’s work and incorporated similar principles into his illustrations.
The Final Touches: Bodoni and Ampersand
The final version of the font used in "Where the Wild Things are" was created by Adm. Jacques-Louis David’s son, who worked for ATF to add the Bodoni font to the book. Bodoni, designed by Giambattista Bodoni, is a classic serif font that was popular in the 19th century.
The font was added to the book in 1965, when the paperback edition was released. Ampersand, a symbol commonly used in printing and typography, was added to the font to give it a more modern and playful feel.
Conclusion
The font used in "Where the Wild Things are" is a fascinating example of typography history and design evolution. From its early days as Batterum Gothic to its final version as Bodoni and Ampersand, the font has undergone many changes and revisions. Today, the font is still widely used in publishing and graphic design, and its iconic illustration has become a beloved part of children’s literature.
Glossary
- Batterum Gothic: a serif font designed by Robert Batterum in 1958
- Bodoni: a classic serif font designed by Giambattista Bodoni in 1798
- Ampersand: a symbol commonly used in printing and typography
Timeline
- 1958: Batterum Gothic font is created by Robert Batterum for Maurice Sendak’s children’s book
- 1963: Batterum Gothic font is first used in the book "Where the Wild Things Are"
- 1965: Bodoni font is added to the book to replace Batterum Gothic
- 1976: ATF releases the paperback edition of "Where the Wild Things Are" with the final version of the font