Topic Type BLM

Protest signs seemed to be the graphical heart of the movement. We felt the strength of the words brandished on Black Lives Matter placards so much that we were inspired to create a new typeface. TopicType BLM was made entirely of lettering taken from hand-written protest signs at BLM protests. Our team trawled through hundreds of publicly available photographs from the posters to find each letter, number and symbol required; 26 lowercase, 26 uppercase.

Creativity can change the world; a bold statement and sincere belief which everyone in the Vitamin studios holds.

Whilst watching cultural protests in America and closer to home in London for the ever-growing Black Lives Matter the Vitamin team felt we needed to show our unity and support. The team quickly began exploring how we as creatives could find a way to bring positive action using design, thus the Topic Type series was born.

Typography unknowingly surrounds our lives, through brands, advertising and people. Words create the story, but the font can creatively communicate a new tone, a new voice. Typography sets the atmosphere and expresses identity to the intended messaging. Topic Type BLM immortalised the protesters’ hand-written calls for change, capturing their voices by creating a typeface composed entirely of hand-held placard lettering. Conveying the energy of the streets into the digital sphere.