R.C.E.: Really Can Examine Typography!

In walking around Milwaukee, I realized that there are LOTS of typographies everywhere. Towards the end of the 45 minutes, I was beginning to see letters in the sky and formed from cracks on the ground. Part of me thinks I'm losing my mind, and part of me thinks this is really cool. But, some of the most interesting and unique typographies that I found while quick touring the East side are below:

This "R" was on the back of a giant orange road construction sign. I found the sign lying down in front of Straz Tower and it instantly caught my attention. Its corners were very sharp and rigid, plus the color yellow, made it seem very authoritative. As a sans-serif font, it also very modern. The space between the left and right side of the "R" made it unique as did the fact that the "R" was actually cut out of the yellow. So, it was more like what was missing was what was interesting to look at. Plus, I love the color yellow, so this one was a shoe-in.

This is one of my favorite finds! It is the "C" from the Wisconsin Club's gates. I thought it looked like classic and elegant calligraphy. It also reminded me of old letters that were written with a quill and ink.  The color gold also gives it a sense of nobility and regality. I also liked that it seemed very flowing and elaborate. Honestly I thought it was interesting that only one letter on the front gates seemed to accurately portray the reputation that the Wisconsin Club has as a well-to-do venue. And let's be honest, it is as swanky and the "C' suggests.

This is an example of where I started to see letters in everything. This "E" is the bottom of a stone bench outside the Haggerty museum of art turned sideways. I was really excited when I spotted it because it is so unique. It isn't very formal, classic or elegant. But, it is modern in the way that it doesn't follow traditional guidelines of being extremely identifiable, but instead seems very casual and relaxed, and not quite complete.  The top part could be more horizontal, but then it would lose some of its visual appeal. Actually this "E" makes me think of modern art, which maybe it is and which is why it now seems much more appropriate to have it sitting outside the museum of art. Gahh I bet they did that on purpose!