Dave Tapia

Dancing Girl JNL The poster for the 1930 film “Show Girl in Hollywood” had the title hand lettered in a squared Art Deco style with some angled cross strokes. This became the basis for Dancing Girl JNL , which is available in both regular and oblique versions. Dancing Girl JNL Download Now View Gallery

Travel Plans JNL A 1930s travel poster from American Airlines had the airline’s name in a classic thick-and-thin Art Deco design of hand lettering. With the addition of angular spurs, some of the characters become semi-serif in nature. This type style is now available as Travel Plans JNL , in both regular and oblique versions. Travel Plans JNL Download Now View Gallery

Electric Newspaper JNL Around 1931, the Los Angeles Times (in partnership with the Richfield Oil Company) installed on its building a moving message board similar to the one at the New York Times in New York City which they dubbed an “electric newspaper”. The style of characters used on this electronic sign were the basis for the namesake font Electric Newspaper JNL , which is available in both regular and oblique versions. A blank space to place between words is available on both the solid bar and broken bar keystrokes. Electric Newspaper JNL Download Now View Gallery

Theater Tickets JNL Theater Tickets JNL was inspired by a photo of the marquee signage for Detroit’s Majestic Theater (built in1934), and is available in both regular and oblique versions. The theater was renovated and restored in 1987 and its marquee replicated the original one. What’s interesting is that the signage actually resembles squared pen lettering with rounded corners. Theater Tickets JNL Download Now View Gallery

Cruise Director JNL The hand-lettered title on the poster for the 1933 musical comedy film “Melody Cruise” was rendered in an Art Deco thick-and-thin style with ‘engraving lines’ placed within the letters. Cruise Director JNL Download Now View Gallery

Dance Time JNL The words “Benny Goodman & His Orchestra” on an appearance poster for the band from 1936 were rendered in a beautiful semi-script style of hand lettering. Dance Time JNL Download Now View Gallery

Art Event JNL A 1930s WPA (Works Progress Administration) poster advertising an exhibit of New Jersey area posters had its main lettering rendered in a very condensed hand lettered interpretation of the ever-popular Futura Black Art Deco style. This has now been re-drawn and digitized as Art Event JNL , in both regular and oblique versions. Art Event JNL Download Now View Gallery

Transit Station JNL The thin and stylish Art Deco lettering of a neon sign above the Greyhound bus terminal entrance in a 1930s New York City photo inspired Transit Station JNL , which is available in both regular and oblique versions. Transit Station JNL Download Now View Gallery

Air Circus JNL A 1930s advertising poster for the Inman Brothers Flying Circus offered up an interesting hand lettered Art Deco design that’s a cross between both squared and rounded character shapes.  Because of it's 'futuristic look', the resulting type style can also lend itself to 1970s and 1980s retro projects as well as those from the 1930s and 1940s. Now a digital font, Air Circus JNL is available in both regular and oblique versions. A “Flying Circus” is a troupe of ‘barnstormers’ (stunt pilots) who performed aerial tricks either individually or as a team along with selling airplane rides to the general public.  Air Circus JNL Download Now View Gallery

Rail Travel JNL Here’s yet another interpretation of the classic “thick and thin” sans serif lettering most popular during the Art Deco era. This particular design comes to you through the courtesy of a hand lettered 1930s travel poster from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Some capitals are much wider than others, while the lower case ‘i’ is somewhat truncated. Rail Travel JNL is available in both regular and oblique versions. Rail Travel JNL Download Now View Gallery

Student Council JNL While Student Council JNL was not influenced by any school activities, the design is based on a lithographed cardboard sign (circa 1930s) for Spizz Sparkling Water, a bottled seltzer from the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company of Lexington, Kentucky.  A squared letterform with angled semi-serifs, this Art Deco typeface grabs attention. Student Council JNL is available in both regular and oblique versions. Student Council JNL Download Now View Gallery

Dancing Marathon JNL The hand lettered title found on the cover of the 1932 sheet music for “Dancing Marathon” inspired the digital revival of this unusual lettering as well as the font’s name. This eccentric Art Deco design (with a slight bit of Art Nouveau mixed in) is a thin, monoline typeface. Dancing Marathon JNL is available in both regular and oblique versions. Dance marathons got their start during the Great Depression as people desperate to earn a few dollars would enter into contests that went on for hours until the last couple remained standing on the dance floor. Dancing Marathon JNL Download Now View Gallery

Varsity Show JNL In the last scene of the movie trailer for 1937’s “Varsity Show”, the movie’s title is hand lettered in a bold, condensed chamfer font with semi-serifs. This is now available digitally in the namesake font “ Varsity Show JNL ” – in both regular and oblique versions. Varsity Show JNL Download Now View Gallery