Lexy Apostolou's Barbarian Blog

In case you need to know...

lexy@barbariangroup.com(Lexy Apostolou) — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:12:05 -0400

Here’s some details about me that Hams thought were necessary to announce.

I'm Comic Sans??!?!?!!?

lexy@barbariangroup.com(Lexy Apostolou) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:53:28 -0400

Ok, so I’m fairly picky about the facebook quizzes I take. Most are irritating and ridiculous. But a friend of mine, knowing how a have an affinity for fonts and the like, suggested I take the “What font are you?” quiz.

Let’s just say this experience could have gone better. I knew after my answer to the first question (the first question being: What would your co-workers say about you? and my response being: happy and bubbly… other options were quiet, headphones on, or organic fruit eater) that I was on the road to a mismatched font. I could have only, in my most terrible of nightmares, dreamt of what was to come.

I, Lexy Apostolou, am Comic Sans. There I said it. But I’m not proud of it. And I also don’t agree with it. AT ALL. Here’s the description:

Anyone who knows me would know I’m not at all what is described above (well, except for the fact that I do love a good company holiday party). Wouldn’t you, per chance, think of me this way instead?:

I’m going to go cry myself to sleep now. With my only consolation being that I haven’t used comic sans since I was in middle school fifteen years ago. Facebook can suck it. Oh, and the word “funky” can kiss my ass. Who’s happy and bubbly now, fools?

Chick-Fil-A FTW!!!!

lexy@barbariangroup.com(Lexy Apostolou) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:32:38 -0400

So there’s only one Chick-fil-a in Manhattan. And it’s in an NYU freshman dorm. Which sucks, cause you need an ID to get in. LUCKILY our very own Steph S. is an NYU student so we ventured out to enjoy this beautiful spring day with chicken sandwiches, waffle fries (with polynesian sauce), and lemonade.

Let’s just say it was a complete success and all is right with the world.

PROOF:

The Making of a Font

lexy@barbariangroup.com(Lexy Apostolou) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:14:20 -0500

I enjoy computers. A lot. But there’s some times where it just feels good to write, not type. The act of writing feels natural. It’s also a bit thrilling now. To write a letter to someone, to decipher handwriting, to smell the ink. My best friend and I write about two letters back and forth to each other year. Yes, it’s much easier to send a text, email, or call. But when someone takes the time to write me a couple pages, you can tell they mean business. Plus there’s something so nice about digging through an old box to read letters. It just feels good.

Anyway, I like handwriting. I love seeing the differences in people’s y’s, a’s, and how they form their e’s. I totally nerd out on research around how your handwriting says certain things about your personality, how you work, what makes you tick. I guess the fact that I was so into this, lead me to have a real affinity to fonts.

Since I was a kid, I have been comfortable spending hours drawing out letters. Fat, skinny, bubble, flowery, I’ve doodled it all. It’s soothing to me, and working through the puzzle of how the next letter should lay next to the one before is totally exciting. One day, not too long ago, I found myself doodling again in the large conference room. This is the product:

Shortly after the meeting, Keith and Mike Ma suggested I make this into a font. It’s totally something I have always wanted to do, and have never figured out how to start. Well, dear friends, it’s time I start.

After a few ultra-nerdy conversations during Toad Hall Monday a few weeks back, I left with my first to-do’s. Read “The Elements of Typographic Style” and watch the documentary on Helvetica. Knowing that I have an 8 hour plane ride ahead of me this Sunday, I’ll be heading to the bookstore this weekend to get things going.

I’ll be sure to post progress as I bring my new font to life, but if anyone has other suggestions to get things started, hit me up!

Mini Vacation Haiku

lexy@barbariangroup.com(Lexy Apostolou) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:20:26 -0500

Long weekend is here.
Snowy slopes and hills in sight.
Hot Toddy in hand.