#typography — Modernist Delights

Humane Building, Preston, 2025

The 18^th and 19^th century site of the Roast Beef Inn, replaced in 1926 by the premises of the “Preston Humane Assurance Collecting Society”. The building features pleasant although deteriorating cream tiling on the first floor of its facade. In 2025, it is the premises of Mr. Booze Express and the Rotana Restaurant & Cafe.

Entrance to Harwell Court, Plymouth, 2025

A narrow brick walkway labelled “ENTRANCE TO HARWELL COURT” in yellow letters leads through a gap between two buildings, one painted white, one brick. A blue wall with graffiti is visible at the end. Shops border both sides of the entrance.

Potato facts, Bradford, 2025

Promotional poster for jacket potatoes, entitled - in the interest of good health, digest a few important facts about the potato

“In the interest of good health, digest a few important facts about the potato” — Informational poster for the Potato Marketing Board, likely dating back to the 80’s or 90’s, displayed in a closed cafe in the Kirkdale Shopping Centre, Bradford, 2025.

Typography at the former Cooperative Printing Society factory, now converted into housing, Manchester, 2025

A brick building facade with a curved yellow-brown stone sign reads “Co-operative Printing Society Ltd” in red letters. Below, a smaller red sign says “Goods Entrance” above double glass doors. Upper windows and a metal balcony are also visible.

On the Airport typeface

I’m not enough of a typography nerd to care about the writing too much, but the illustrations in this article for the refreshed Airport typeface are gorgeous.

Airport Typeface

Sherborne Library, 2024

A single-story building with a sign reading “Sherborne Library” stands behind tall hedges. A road in the foreground has STAFF ONLY painted on it. The sky is clear and blue, with autumn trees and trimmed grass visible around the library.

Audibly gasped when I saw the sign, the font feels very of the era with a quality modern fonts don’t have anymore.

Charter House, Sheffield, 2024

A three-story, gray and brown building labeled CHARTER HOUSE 14 has large windows, graffiti on the ground floor, and a glass door. The street and curb are in front, with yellow and blue markings on the sidewalk. The building looks rundown.

Lovely big windows, concrete and brick, retro typeface, and basically derelict, what’s not to love.

Subway, Preston, 2024

A worn rectangular sign with the word Subway in faded yellow letters stands on a rusty pole against a dark, night sky. The sign appears weathered, with chipped paint and visible marks on its surface.

Subway? Subway!!