Sexy, Bold And Experimental Typography
Sometimes typography is all you need to communicate your ideas effectively. Graphics can support the type or type can support the graphics, but to deliver the message precisely, you need to make sure your type is strong enough, your design is distinctive enough and the composition is strong enough. The results are sometimes crazy, sometimes artsy, sometimes beautiful, but often just different from things we’re used to. Thus, designers explore new horizons, and we explore new viewing perspectives which are what inspiration is all about.
This post showcases over 70 examples of sexy, bold and experimental typography. Some examples are typographic posters, some are typographic illustrations, and some are just sketches with type. In any case, you will hopefully find some inspiration for your future works.
Feel free to check out our previous typography-related posts:
- The Good, The Bad And The Great Examples Of Web Typography
- Breathtaking Typographic Posters
- The Showcase of BIG Typography
So what can be achieved out of simple letters and symbols? Please be patient, some screenshots are huge.
Sweet and Cute Type #
Sweet Sixteen #
Typography with a sweet taste of sugar. A nice composition, an excellent execution. Sometimes not that much is needed to make the type look tasty. The typeface used below is Cutiful.
![Beauty of Typography - This Day in Type — Participate! - am besten bewertet/Horton -- July 16, 2007 -- Cutiful](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/277cc20b-18bd-4768-a1fa-a0dadaae945a/057.jpg)
Dive Deep #
Hand lettering by Ray Fenwick, cutting out by Dan Mogford.
![Beauty of Typography - DIVE DEEP](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/b2e2fbff-43bc-4f30-9ef0-ce0d479bf146/094.jpg)
Scarlett #
An illustration created by Nik Ainley. Notice how well every single letter (e.g. “l” and “s”) fits in the composition.
![Beauty of Typography - Shinybinary v2.1 - Art and designs of Nik Ainley](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/13813705-f5c9-43cd-a800-3c193c95b13d/055.jpg)
Newstand Cover for Computer Arts issue 139 #
Alejandro Paul’s Affair typography from Argentina: typography dominates in the composition, the swirly headline is just breathtaking.
![Beauty of Typography - Newstand Cover for Computer Arts issue 139](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/327cca4c-6199-4cfe-9b16-67a335e1a25a/027.jpg)
17.06.2007 #
Created by Michael van Laar using Freebooter Script.
![Beauty of Typography - This Day in Type — Participate! - am besten bewertet/Michael van Laar — June 17, 2007 — Freebooter Script](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/03e4546b-d184-4c7d-beb6-81dd30a06d26/058.jpg)
Aphrodisiac Dessert #
Dessert type for a dessert announcement.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/5a011eca-5a3e-4a3e-91bf-da12bf6f23f5/086.jpg)
FitzGerald Album (Extended Play) #
Nothing can beat old-style-typography. Nothing.
![Beauty of Typography - FitzGerald Album (Extended Play)](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/fbaa7d0c-d570-48bc-b7c0-0ce751271708/036.jpg)
Rally #
Apparently, typography can be used for a number of purposes. Typographical Motorsports: simple yet interesting.
![Beauty of Typography - Rally](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/1cefb8ae-58af-4f56-9f42-3afdb690ef8e/019.jpg)
Tina Colada #
It is worth a discussion if “overlettering” actually helps to deliver a message, but the type looks nicely. And the choice of colors is impressive.
![Beauty of Typography -](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/2bccc7f0-88d8-4ca1-908f-461962aa43cf/005.jpg)
More ink is coming #
Impressive lettering by Ale Paul.
![Beauty of Typography - more ink is coming.jpg](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/80480d1e-dfd3-4019-87d4-17c8b3f04ebc/012.jpg)
cim_organic #
Sunny, flourish motif for a fresh typographic composition. Designed by Ryan Katrina.
![Beauty of Typography - cim_organic](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/9535c82a-2263-4a3b-b66c-fde6af283186/037.jpg)
Empire #
The attention to detail is remarkable. Designed by Theo Aartsma.
![Beauty of Typography - Empire](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/2c916501-5765-463f-aae4-5047f7e2fd4f/008.jpg)
Eichholtz #
![Beauty of Typography - Eichholtz](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/0f866232-9d67-47b3-b923-7c3f1e3b99a3/039.jpg)
Arabic Typography #
![Beauty of Typography - 4039-555-638](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/25e18de6-922a-4904-a377-8befcfb486c6/028.jpg)
Elegant and Sexy Type #
Climate Change ‘Co2’ ideas #
Simple idea which uses only the power of typography. Impressive posters do not need to be colorful.
![Beauty of Typography - Climate Change 'Co2' ideas](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/60b4ea43-437c-4822-9b01-fed2ec774c46/025.jpg)
Αnapodi Klosti Poster #
Poster for a experimental performance installation. The main lettering is based on PF Beau Sans. Unusual: thin font transform into a thin thread.
![Beauty of Typography - Αnapodi Klosti Poster](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/41b3033a-8563-4ede-82e0-2fa13aeccc1c/020.jpg)
qp logo #
In this logo “q” and “p” belong together. Nice concept, nice colors.
![Beauty of Typography - qp logo](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/ec823927-1791-4c80-89e9-49e4068343c0/006.jpg)
Tony Rohr #
Similar idea as in the previous one, but a different execution.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/630485ff-7199-4ffe-bf2b-543483640636/070.jpg)
JG3! #
Slick and sexy, colorful and strong. Notice how beautifully both letters intersect in the middle of the image.
![Beauty of Typography - JG3!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/98834a18-9a3f-4fad-93d7-bc6b7b6674b7/007.jpg)
CMYK Lovers #
Well, that’s A LOT of letters. Vibrant colors meet 3D-typography. Available as a desktop wallpaper. Designed by Guilherme Marconi.
![Beauty of Typography - Wallpaper of the Week #1 | Abduzeedo - graphic design | design inspiration | design tutorials](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/36b87c63-161a-427b-86ec-680da742efb2/003.jpg)
Poster in the city of Amsterdam #
Dutch graphic design at its best. Interesting typographic construction which captures attention by its structure and attracts by its vibrant colors.
![Beauty of Typography - poster in the city of Amsterdam](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/f82005ed-fbcc-40c6-a558-53c8c6071c49/069.jpg)
Requiem #
Strong, dirty and grungy typography is also possible. Craig Shields manages to get impressive results combining grunge and type.
![Beauty of Typography - Requiem](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/4b1836ee-b0d4-4fe8-92d5-65491f3aa003/001.jpg)
BBB #
Designed by Stefan Lucut. The loog looks very modern and powerful, however, at the first glance it is not clear what the red thread stands for. Nevertheless, very original composition.
![Beauty of Typography - BBB](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/fe9e161e-7368-4344-a6ec-37cc716f5e74/bab.jpg)
Strong and Bold Type #
Typography #
Nicolas Alexander combines typography and retro. Notice how elegant the line starting in the letter “G” goes through “R”.
![Beauty of Typography - Typography](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/91e2d7ac-f552-4126-9484-58ca7fee7cf5/105.jpg)
2008 Calendar #
Expressing feelings via colors and type. A very clean and beautiful design by Jonathan Davies.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/06200d87-cfad-41c8-b531-f5896cacabec/083.jpg)
Bckyrdflw Promo #
Well, this one is hard to overlook. Andrew Dyjak’s poster can be read without vocals vowels. Lovely colors, cropping and, of course, type.
![Beauty of Typography - Bckyrdflw Promo](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/69fbeed0-4f9a-4045-995f-2998e5d46507/107.jpg)
Statistics Table #
Strong, bold and extremely expressive. And it is just a table!
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/7079f358-46de-4392-b09d-c249ba2f923e/102.jpg)
The Well of the Saints A1 poster #
A1 Graphic poster produced by John McDermott. Simple, strong and sexy. Sometimes two colors and a bold typeface are enough.
![Beauty of Typography - The Well of the Saints A1 poster](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/cb12f2ef-5081-4c65-b08c-e55473e89e51/024.jpg)
Breaks logo #
A distinctive treatmeant of letters which perfectly fits to the message a poster wants to convey. Designed by Zoltan Szalay.
![Beauty of Typography - Breaks logo](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/e05ced63-12b7-4cdc-89f7-4aa55fa43334/040.jpg)
Nik Ainley #
Nik Ainley strikes again. Lovely typographic work where letters don’t just convey the message, but are also functional: their form suggests the second message which is transported with the artwork.
![Beauty of Typography - Shiny Binary](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/6e059541-f645-4300-a2cd-bdffd39532e9/092.jpg)
Benno Wissing #
Dutch Typography by Benno Wissing. It looks very modern, but it was created in 1963.
![Beauty of Typography - Benno Wissing](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/bfda1949-79dc-42dc-9e98-741b92307bc0/075.jpg)
Film Poster #
Colorful and distinctive. Each color stands for a different movie which participated in the festival.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/f0a9205c-f55d-4a04-bcac-c1c61b984030/099.jpg)
Experiments with type #
A2 #
![Beauty of Typography - A2](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/232d665c-0560-43e1-8716-8a6094ec41e5/056.jpg)
Crumpler - ABC #
![Beauty of Typography - Crumpler - ABC](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/7b0e4a9c-1cba-4143-a3ff-c2e8b3be2de8/077.jpg)
American Graphic Design #
![Beauty of Typography - American Graphic Design](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/bc12e320-e8b5-4a10-92e9-6b0083a5984a/080.jpg)
The Make Lounge #
![Beauty of Typography - The Make Lounge](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/55c9efa6-8c9f-4eb7-9864-fb9e4962038b/108.jpg)
Moctezuma: James Brown #
![Beauty of Typography - Moctezuma: James Brown](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/c8a78155-7a8e-4e55-a39c-d76e94d6f327/111.jpg)
Dog Type #
Sometimes typography is used to deliver a message in a quite, well, unusual way.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/28ed842b-79e6-445c-bcb6-0a921f9296dc/082.jpg)
Lead Us Not Into The Future
![Beauty of Typography - Lead Us Not Into The Future](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/bbbd99ff-6927-44e9-a661-927819e57521/004.jpg)
»R« letter sketches #
![Beauty of Typography -](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/92624e6e-90ad-486d-b6b2-77fe2eb9998e/015.jpg)
Blik x Drez #
![Beauty of Typography - Blik x Drez](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/adf98e02-aea2-4c14-97a1-47525884f299/018.jpg)
A Stitch Up - Corktown Tavern - Base #
![Beauty of Typography - A Stitch Up - Corktown Tavern - Base](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/c6eec43e-f83e-41df-9bd6-427201f2e042/021.jpg)
Cubix Rube
![Beauty of Typography - Cubix Rube](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/21b2c885-0c9c-4763-a1e4-80bf8d1bee3e/022.jpg)
supervision
![Beauty of Typography - supervision](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/5678797b-c3ff-4ef9-b3ad-aa3dd3a4d5ac/101.jpg)
Palawa Poster #
![Beauty of Typography - Palawa Poster](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/0ebb7bab-d485-4683-b566-7935c5d3feae/023.jpg)
seis [cartel] #
![Beauty of Typography - seis [cartel]](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/e73e375a-3f9e-4fc9-8e0f-5fec28cb2621/026.jpg)
Wishes #
Unusual type treatment which makes the wishes quite distinctive from the “usual” crowd.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/4beee475-522e-47ae-bcfa-86ce9d5329ef/072.jpg)
Rasterfeld Event Poster #
![Beauty of Typography - Rasterfeld Event Poster](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/35fca9c5-0778-4b95-ace8-fdea32abd1e9/030.jpg)
Personal Geocode
![Beauty of Typography - Personal Geocode](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/7a38b0b9-700f-4041-a662-36fb5b609f26/031.jpg)
Cubix Rube Soft
![Beauty of Typography - Cubix Rube Soft](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/8b90dc09-b1d2-4874-a926-fc83cd4fb78e/033.jpg)
font_code #
![Beauty of Typography - font_code](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/e7612413-bf58-4260-8ae5-74e6ce223bde/034.jpg)
Experimenting with s #
![Beauty of Typography - s](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/ad547fe1-e020-482f-a58f-b1f9aa9bf3d8/035.jpg)
accept | adapt | evolve #
![Beauty of Typography - accept | adapt | evolve](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/ba4bc1c9-2e77-4458-8b76-68ddc53b34ee/038.jpg)
fac04_flyer_a #
![Beauty of Typography - fac04_flyer_a](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/cf07861e-0432-4761-8312-fc982d8c81ee/041.jpg)
Doblette - Taller Tipografia (uy) #
![Beauty of Typography - Doblette - Taller Tipografia (uy)](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/8b390b94-0690-446e-90d1-32786b63154f/091.jpg)
Bold type #
These letters are really hard to read. Is it the purpose of typography? Well, it’s definitely an experiment. Cute, fat and bold type in use.
![Beauty of Typography -](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/b0e4cdd2-fada-4f21-983d-c836d4b9f5f7/042.jpg)
Extraverage x The KDU #
Pattern is used to create letters.
![Beauty of Typography - Extraverage x The KDU](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/200ecfdf-7684-4b3f-ab11-914ce7c6456c/044.jpg)
Visual Lexicon v 2.1 Metamorphosis #
![Beauty of Typography - Visual Lexicon v 2.1 Metamorphosis](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/13bd0921-c85c-48eb-9b3c-2497af5478e3/067.jpg)
Type Area #
![Beauty of Typography - Type Area](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/a240d9e9-2373-472e-a708-758e04e4bac5/074.jpg)
Wim Crouwel: New Alphabet book #
![Beauty of Typography - Wim Crouwel – New Alphabet book](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/7d0e9e10-1177-4af5-bc0b-f0ebf4bf8cc3/076.jpg)
Nederlandse Postzegels 1971 #
![Beauty of Typography - Nederlandse Postzegels 1971](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/1eaf5176-da2a-4d2e-975d-6505a276ad51/078.jpg)
Askul #
![Beauty of Typography - TheDieline.com: The Leading Package Design Blog: Askul](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/606a9139-7484-4096-ad26-c335d1423770/079.jpg)
Experimental Jetset: SMCS Invitations
![Beauty of Typography - Experimental Jetset: SMCS Invitations](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/2f7918cd-21a1-4c5d-b51b-3eb0173b32be/081.jpg)
Triple O’s #
Sometimes type doesn’t look like type at all.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/d33a69f4-e050-4aa0-aaed-abf1d5abc4d9/085.jpg)
TypeNeu #
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/474cbc73-7268-40bc-8042-78c278008fb1/087.jpg)
88. Geometric Type #
This type is quite freaky. Dutch Graphic Design.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/58ace61f-4614-4b76-a398-334e71fce401/088.jpg)
89. YOLO #
A (really) striking poster designed by Martin Fewell from Manchester, UK.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/3f1b0cdc-2260-4d4f-b858-6058ac8b3e39/089.jpg)
100. Best time of my life #
Disturbing yet powerful. This poster delivers the message effectively.
![Beauty of Typography - FFFFOUND!](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/6dbe8285-fc3c-4562-abec-72f560cdc2a0/100.jpg)
Recycle #
Usually typography is used as a foundation for symbols. In this artwork it is the other way around. The yellow circle in the middle of the composition may be too striking, but it may be the designer’s intention. Designed by Satoboy.
![Beauty of Typography - RECYCLE](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/381cf5e1-65ef-46d8-b259-c5f2b3b70e76/017.jpg)
Chaumont, festival international de l’affiche, version longue - Etienne Mineur archives #
![Beauty of Typography - Chaumont, festival international de l'affiche, version longue - Etienne Mineur archives](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/1f48f83f-d02e-4356-9c22-94458966c9cc/104.jpg)
Last Click #
Designed with the sole intention of not over complicating the design. Designed by Richard Shed.
![Beauty of Typography - Reloj Richard Shed](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/b065d834-cca0-4749-b50a-293c1e7c4177/090.jpg)
Holding type #
These flocked magnets looks pretty sweet.
![Beauty of Typography - M](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/746c44c5-8407-4016-bf23-e9e7c417e869/014.jpg)
Spaghetti Dinner Poster #
Beautiful integration of type into a photo.
![Beauty of Typography - Spaghetti Dinner Poster](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/d4649c06-c2de-4872-a519-5cf3be6574c2/047.jpg)
Matias Ignacio en crema #
Ok, now it’s time for a coffee break.
![Beauty of Typography - Matias Ignacio en crema](https://archive.smashing.media/assets/344dbf88-fdf9-42bb-adb4-46f01eedd629/6722a332-37cf-400c-b93d-a5fadcd7f34c/062.jpg)
— Comments 95
This is one of your best type post yet smashing mag! Thank you.
In the Bckyrdflw Promo description you say "vocal" but I think you mean "vowel".