Floral and ornamental type dates back to medieval times when scribes were writing manuscripts, they would use the large ornamental lettering as initials and smaller plainer fonts for the body text.
Embellishment
Lettering that had been modified with such decoration is usually referred to as embellishment, this means that the decoration appears on top of the letterform, this type of decoration was copied and experimented with in the 19th century by foundries adding patterns, pictures shadows and 3D effects to there lettering.
Encompassing
The other type of lettering is refereed to as Encompassing this is when the letterform itself is decorative and is not derived from an existing letterform
Ref Book: Type and Typography
Below are a few examples from around the web to gain some inspiration in this style of design and typography that has taken form over the years.
Fourooms
Created by Fourooms a design studio in Hamburg as a Christmas gift to Si Scott, another designer who also produces similar floral and flourish type designs.
This design looks overgrown and wild with an upward movement that makes it feel like its growing.
The hand drawn version coloured with ink.
Shaz Madani
An elegant hand made design by Shaz Madani made from paper for a campaign for Artic Paper to bridge the gap between creativity and environmental thinking, such as using recycled paper.
Quinto hache
These flourishes originate from the numbers and grow upwards, there are lines in the background and also balloons floating, the space and stars on the numbers gives the design a bright vivid aura.
Yulia Brodskaya
Yulia Brodskaya originally from Russia has achived numerous awards for typographic style and design, these designs look like icing on a cake, delicate flourishes with contrasting colours.
Ginger Monkey Design
Ginger Monkey Design have had numerous features in magazines including computer arts, there designs incorporate many swirls and flourishes, This personal collection is part of there inspiring word series here can be seen compassion and selfless.
This set has great composition and simple decoration yet has a massive impact on the type as well as the though provoking colours.
Words are Pictures
Words are Pictures is a London, UK based designer that has some familiar designs, playing with typography and words is how this designers progresses his designs, as you can see the design below looks almost 3D with hidden words behind the foliage.
Inksurge
Inksurge a design company from Manila, Philippines specialising in visual arts and communication
Prouced this design for the hosting company Media Temple, a shirt design for a premium give-away for their clients and partners.
Covers the letterforms with a bouquet of ornaments and floral patterns making the it still legible to read.
Nathan Walker
Nathan Walker from Dallas, TX, United States is a freelance designer specialising in digital art.
A sketch taken in to Photoshop inspired by a quote from the bible “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
Narani Kannan
Narani Kannan is a graphic design student in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The design below is inspired by the Victorian architecture know as baroque.
Arthur Dam
Arthur Dam is a designer from Hilversum, Netherlands and has created atmospheric digital designs
The design below shows an intriquet blend of curls around a light font making the whole word eye catching even though the colours are quite dull.
Burlesque Design
Burlesque Design an array of music oriented prints and posters, the example below shows how the design is progressing from a sketch.
Nikki Farquharson
Nikki Farquharson a freelance designer from London, UK has an eye for patterns, lines, shapes and colours.
Si Scott
Si Scott is maybe one of the more well know dseigners for this style
Sumeco
sumeco is a Dutch designer who has a huge and inspiring portfolio of digital work the examples shown take on a natural typography theme with roots, vines, and branches, giving the designs a fresh feel.
Colin Lee
Colin Lee is a passionate designer from London, UK creating complex typographic treatments as well as other forms of graphic design.
Shiny Binary
Nik Ainley of Shiny Binary is an Oxford, UK based illustrator and has had some great accomplishments with publications in magazines and books, he strives to master his tools to realise his ideas.
Comments
Id have to say that this style of typography catchs my imagination more over than allot of other styles. just because of the detail and time spent on each piece, What do yo like and think about this style ?
Author of this post: Max Stanworth
Iam the creator and editor of Design Shard, I created this blog to post my inspirations, work and free resources that I hope others find interesting too. See all posts by: Max Stanworth
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Nice collection.
take a look at doug’s work too. pretty floral types as well.
http://www.nacionale.cc
wow these are wonderful works, thanks for share..
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amezing stuff
this stuff is amazing. this is why i love design and especially fonts.
I love the designs. Is it possible that there are Fonts that are already made to look like these designs? If so where can I find them?
Thanks for the inspiration. Keep up the good work.
Rick
this is truly amaazing, tho I feel like I’ve seen some of this on other blogs.
Yup, it’s really great :-).
really great, even better than mine :)
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I am a artist and when i see your arts it is really nice work you done from your pic i learn more. thanks
Wow great typography \ art inspiration Max!
Thanks for commenting my blog as well.
1. Yulia Brodskaya’s work is amazing! so balanced and detailed.
2. Colin Lee with the D&G logo looks hot I saw it in a mag and was very taken in by it.
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T.
It’s so imazing! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome collection. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful collection. Thanks for not including any numbers in the headline of your article ;)
Sumeco’s work for Somersby ad looks like it’s a page from a vintage fairy tale book.
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Lovely collection. Thanks for that.
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@Angie Bowen – i agree, they look so surreal.
@Seraphim – Yea its a great skill to master, youve got some great stuff in your portfolio :)
@Tom Ross – I know, Must take alot of imagination to get a great concept such as some of the pieces by Sumeco
Wow, truly inspiring work here. Some of these are just beyond me in terms of conception!
Tom Ross´s latest blog post..PSDFAN (or rather I am) on Twitter
Whoa, very inspiring artwork here. I remember seeing one of these artists design his stuff by hand, and still, simply amazing.
Some really great stuff here Max! I love the pieces by Yulia Brodskaya, beautiful!
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Amazing…
Lovely inspiration piece, I love that example where everything has done on paper – amazing technique! And yes, 3d touch gives very interesting look.
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@Janko – yea they look so surreal , im really liking colin lees sketch of the dolce logo, love those ornament type flourishes!
Very nice. The work of Yulia Brodskaya looks amazing
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