Why these fonts say FUN – and FEAR!
From Dr Geoff Lindsey.
Watch this video on YouTube ↗
What is it about these flamboyant fonts that immediately shouts 'carnival', 'fairground', or 'circus'? I look into the form of the letters, their history and geography, and why such carnival trappings can be at once fun... and creepy. A little Halloween 'treat' and something a bit different from my usual videos!
0:00 Introduction and what got me interested
0:36 The DNA of fairground lettering
1:20 The origins
2:44 Carnival
3:20 Printing
3:44 Joby Carter, signwriting and steam
4:35 Buenos Aires, filete and murga
6:04 Pop culture and horror movies
6:35 Clowns and final thoughts
Hollycombe https://www.hollycombe.co.uk
Joby Carter https://jobycarter.com
Carnaval Buenos Aires 2025 courtesy of Eze Chaval https://www.youtube.com/@UCc3-pgVIwyHgGmOmJxvKiTw
Jorge Royan https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buenos_Aires_-_A_1947_Colectivo_-_7404.jpg
Irenef74 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colectivo_antiguo.jpg
Roberto Fiadone https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nº_interno_colectivo_Mercedes_Benz_LO-911.jpg
Roberto Fiadone https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Línea_208_colectivo_02.jpg
Simon Johnston https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gipsy_Caravan_-_geograph.org.uk_-_562678.jpg
Roger Cornfoot https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_caravan,_Bigg_Market,_Newcastle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1707700.jpg
Shesmax https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Luzerner_Fastnachtsumzug._2020-02-24.webm
Eugenio Hansen, OFS https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venice_servitiu_205.webm
0:00 Introduction and what got me interested
0:36 The DNA of fairground lettering
1:20 The origins
2:44 Carnival
3:20 Printing
3:44 Joby Carter, signwriting and steam
4:35 Buenos Aires, filete and murga
6:04 Pop culture and horror movies
6:35 Clowns and final thoughts
Hollycombe https://www.hollycombe.co.uk
Joby Carter https://jobycarter.com
Carnaval Buenos Aires 2025 courtesy of Eze Chaval https://www.youtube.com/@UCc3-pgVIwyHgGmOmJxvKiTw
Jorge Royan https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buenos_Aires_-_A_1947_Colectivo_-_7404.jpg
Irenef74 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colectivo_antiguo.jpg
Roberto Fiadone https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nº_interno_colectivo_Mercedes_Benz_LO-911.jpg
Roberto Fiadone https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Línea_208_colectivo_02.jpg
Simon Johnston https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gipsy_Caravan_-_geograph.org.uk_-_562678.jpg
Roger Cornfoot https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gypsy_caravan,_Bigg_Market,_Newcastle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1707700.jpg
Shesmax https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Luzerner_Fastnachtsumzug._2020-02-24.webm
Eugenio Hansen, OFS https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venice_servitiu_205.webm
