Just My Type.


If you've been reading this blog for a while, or know me in person, you know that I'm a graphic designer. One of things I remember hearing more than once from one of my design professors, Linda (or was it Barb?  Fellow VC-ers, help me out), was that if you could choose only one typeface for the rest of your career, it better be Helvetica. 

Helvetica has gained a somewhat cult status, with apparel, documentaries, and millions of devotees. I was struggling with what nail design to do today to follow those pimple nails (really?!), and I was watching 'The Voice' (yeah, I know, I watch it to drool over Adam Levine) and saw something in the show that reminded me of Helvetica. It was then that I knew I had to add to the bevy of Helvetica-themed things, and paint on my nails the iconic name (and representation) of every designer's favorite typeface. This was actually semi-difficult, because I didn't want to mess up. That said, it's not perfect, but I tried to do it justice! :)


I used Nubar Stronghold as a base (this color applies like buttahhh, I've never used it as a base color before), with Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On for the lettering. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite topcoat.

What's YOUR type(face)?  Pleeeeease don't say Comic Sans. (or Papyrus)

25 comments

  1. I love wingdings as those characters allow me to say what I'm thinking about people about me- I work in a busy office and inevitable someone would otherwise see over my shoulder... when I send an email, the recipient just changes it to normal font.

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  2. this is soo good! I looooove your designs. You're so talented, and I hope you check out my blog! im sorry i just really want you to critique me and give me advice? love ur blog :)
    http://elmojellie.posterous.com/

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  3. Fellow Graphic Designer here. We use Helvetica on EVERYTHING! I've tried letters on my nails before and it was a pain and the a$$. You nailed this!

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  4. Haha that is awesome! Great job :) I am a graphic designer in training...so I know a lot of people that would get a kick out of this.

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  5. So awesome!! As a fellow graphic designer, the omnipotence of Helvetica cannot be denied. However, as it has grown to such popularity (for good reason), I try to stay away from it as I feel like I should be trying other typefaces and not default to Helvetica.

    That said, you really did such an awesome job!!

    Did you see the movie Helvetica? Remember the part where there was some really bad kerning in one of the signs (at the part they were showing how prevalent it is in our world)? I saw it in a movie theater and you could tell who the designers were, cuz we all gave a collective, "UGH!" haha

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  6. This is great but your previous nail art was grossly brilliant.did that even make sense?

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  7. Haha! Kozuka Mincho Pro. I would need a lot more fingers than I've got to write all that!!

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  8. I remember Helvetica!!!! It was my favorite typeface in publishing class, and it still is! such a versatile typeface.
    When I saw the thumbnail of your nails on another blog i was so excited to click in! hurray for helvetica.

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  9. Looveeee this! I always use calibri.

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  10. This is fantastic!! I love it!!
    Blog: www.beautyblurbsbybekk.blogspot.com

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  11. That is perfection!

    My dad was an old-car junkie and passed some of that on to me, so I'm kind of a fan of Magneto. Versatile? No. Fun? Yes. Go ahead, type "Cadillac" in it. Looks cool!

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  12. This is so cool! One of the many typefaces I love to use cause of it's simplicity. Great job :)

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  13. That is neat! I am more of a Verdana person lol.

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  14. I really like this. Especially the way you did the letters going sideways on the thumb so you can more easily read the letter together.

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  15. Verdana for me. Or anything on Fonts for Peas but that's just when I'm designing.

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  16. From a working nail tech Blogger to an immensely talented Blogger that *should* be a nail tech: Honey, you would have such a Career in nails-you really, really would; you do realise, that painting that well, is tantamount to hordes of clients and fans, yes? <3

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  17. THANK YOU for these. Seriously. I don't have to have an anxiety attack every time I'm waiting for your blog to load and fearing those pimpley horribles ;)

    Love this design!

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  18. Arial is only a Helvetica wannabe. I love it when people use H. with the letters touching. Considering you were doing what computers do with vector graphics by hand on curved surfaces with a medium that dries in seconds, yours is the best Helvetica I've ever seen!

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  19. really great job. Your nails look beautiful hmmm nice one.
    hair salon newcastle

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  20. I love Helvetica!!! Such a great typeface. And you did this by hand :D props to you from one graphic designer to another!

    P.S. so true what you said about the documentary and the fact that you can't escape Helvetica even if you don't like it xD

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Go on, comment... you know you want to. ;-P