• I do not think I have “come out against” Marco Arment, who in any event answers some of my mail and reluctantly accepts I have a point.

• Updating the script typefaces of the heading style has to wait for Webfonts. This site offers five alternate stylesheets (few as battle-tested as the default) in anticipation of just such a criticism. Zapfino is followed up in the font stack with cursive typefaces appropriate for other platforms. In any event, blame Sven-S. Porst, who gave me the idea in the first place.

(CORRECTED) Pontiac front ends done wrong and done right.

1. The Sunfire, with the worst automotive front end since the Edsel.

   1. Original (circa 2001):

      

      • Strangely inset headlamps (as though 1970s-era sealed beams), even though they’re a custom model here as in other cars; too-deeply-inset lights in general

      • Panel gaps

      • Less overhang, but still too much

      • Under-bumper air intakes are unconvincing; outboard edges are actually de facto air dams for the running lights

   2. Revision (circa 2002–2005):

      

      • Gaps, gaps, and more gaps

      • Too many planes (grille and turn signals around central pillar actually lean in under the hood)

      • Jagged front edge of hood

      • Unbalanced headlamp shape

      • Too long; too much overhang

      • Licence plate blocks apparently intentional air opening below bumper even though surely somebody knew that’s where the plate would actually go

      • Grille isn’t honeycomb

      More is less.

2. Holden Commodore (Pontiac G8), which does it right:

   

   • Custom headlamps (circles!) inside flush fascia

   • Inset honeycomb grille matches inset air intakes on hood; chrome trim on edges maintains general wraparound plane

   • Uncomplicated detailing below bumper

   • General lack of detail

   Less is more.

   (Strangely, a near-identical G8 was four cars behind this one when I took this picture. You rarely see one of these things, let alone two.)

(UPDATE · 2013.08.22) Then there’s the Grand Am:

Also!

G8 and hound.

My first Eye “rebuke” produced solely with computerized notes. This issue is all about Monotype.

The Arial Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Eye lobs a basket of softballs at the hired gun who committed the greatest crime against typography of the 20th century. Robin Nicholas, codesigner of Arial, admits in passing that he is “not really that up to date, to be honest,” with what Eye called “younger type designers.” [continue with: ‘Eye’ 84 →]