We don't serve your type here - Andy Smith

Andy Smith's font-based fun

Illustrator turns awful puns into typographical prints at Soma Gallery

We see a lot of typography that puts a smile on our face here at Phaidon but it was a different kind of grin that transpired when we came across the work of  illustrator Andy Smith at his latest show at Bristol’s Soma Gallery.

In common with Rem Koolhaas who this week urged those working in architecture to lift the pressure of constant seriousness, Smith too is trying to inject a little humour into his own area of artistic practice - graphic design.

 

Past Present Future - Andy Smith
Past Present Future - Andy Smith

The illustrator, who’s worked on campaigns for big names such as Sony, Mercedes, McDonald's and Orange has developed his upbeat, hand drawn style for a series of prints, cards and coasters. For the most part they consist of the kinds of awful (but funny) puns everyone has heard. The idea for the prints came to him while he was working on a joke book for children. 

 

Calendar - Andy Smith
Calendar - Andy Smith

“Flicking through all these cheesy puns and one liners, it occurred to me that they’d make great prints – I really like the way they are very sharp and succinct in their delivery and how they play with words,” Smith says. 

 

Party in Space - Andy Smith
Party in Space - Andy Smith

“Even though they are obvious, it’s difficult not to smile,” he says. The show runs until April 19 at Soma. Meanwhile, you can see more and buy some of Smith’s work at his website asmithillustration.com.

And you may be interested in taking a look at some other (pun free) high quality design offerings among them The Design BookThe Phaidon Archive of Graphic Design and the iPad edition of our ever popular Design Classics. Or, if you prefer it's still available in the classic, three volume printed set.