sold out: vending machine public typography
DESCRIPTION
This project is a book on typography found in public spaces. We were to use outside sources as well as our own discoveries, photography, and writing as the content of the book. I focused my book on the typography of vending machines.TRANSCRIPT
VENDING MACHINEPUBLIC TYPOGRAPHY
SARA MINOR
SOLD OUTVENDING MACHINE PUBLIC TYPOGRAPHY
SARA MINOR
“A coin-operated machine for selling merchandise.”
The definition of a vending machine has not changed
much since the first vending machine was invented
in the 1880s. Today’s vending machines still provide a
convenient way to obtain merchandise. The main differ-
ence between today and the 19th century vending ma-
chines is how we, as consumers pay for the merchan-
dise. Payment has evolved from coins to dollar bills
to credit cards. Our society has come a long way from
selling postcards and bubblegum, which were some of
the first items sold out of vending machines.
There are two main factors that effect the way type
is treated on vending machines. Standardization.
Branding. Those two factors seem to pull vending ma-
chines in opposite directions. In this spectrum created
by branding and standardization the machines that
carry bigger brands only have the minimum amount of
standard typography. The added element of advertis-
ing against the competition sitting right next to it is also
a factor in this spectrum. The farther a machine is on
the standard side of the spectrum almost eliminates the
ability to compete with other brands. The relationship
between branding, standardization, and advertising
competition can be seen throughout the typography of
vending machines.
from selling postcards and bubblegum.our society has come a long way
Candy and toy machines fall on the side of standardization in the spectrum
of branded and generic. The smaller machines only convey that single fac-
tor, the standard.
The bodies of the machines are often clear removing the necessity to over advertise, or advertise at all.
Often being privately owned the machines that grace the
entrances of some establishments are small and to the
point. The standard machines are usually sold privately
and bought privately. Other than a simple indication of what
type of toy or candy is housed in the clear container, the
only other type on the machine is the indication of price
and the name of the company who made the machine. The
machines, like all vending machines are given the task of
advertising against the competition that is sitting right next
to it. These small machines are not very effective at this task.
The low budget does not lend itself to advertising, rather
the owner has to rely on the fact that most people have
strong feelings about what candy they like to eat or what toy
a child would like.
the owner has to rely on the fact that most people have strong feelings about what candy they like to eat.
The Really Cherry bubblegum
not only has to compete with
the Spree candy next to it but
also with toy machines and
tattoo dispensers seen in this
laundry mat.
BSimilar to candy vending machines, food vending ma-
chines dispense delicious and often unhealthy snacks.
While these machines contain a number of standard
elements, because of the products contained inside the
amount of branding at work is also an important trait.
7
Like their smaller counterparts these m
achines contain a clear front that allows the consum
er to im
mediately see what the m
achine contains.
the number of different products held behind the glass makes the advertising competition a battle for the customer’s attention.
The Miss Vickies brand
carries two varieties of
chips in this vending
machine. While compet-
ing within the brand the
chips are competing with
the rest of the vending
machine products.
Most of the instances of type are contained in the mandatory areas
of the machine. The place where you put your money has the same
typography that is contained on all machines, as do the numbers
that a customer uses to choose a product and the typography that
indicates where the change comes out. The amount of branding
in these machines exists only in the products themselves. The
clear glass front allows the products being sold to advertise for
themselves to the extent of their packaging. The products have
to compete directly with the products sitting right next to it. The
standard nature of the machine would seem as if it would almost
eliminate the branding side of the spectrum but it actually makes
it more intense. The number of different products held behind
the glass makes the advertising competition a battle for the cus-
tomer’s attention. Food vending machines hit in the middle of the
spectrum where branding and standardization coexist equally.
There are many different names for the carbonated and
often caramel colored drinks that so much of America
likes to drink. There are also many different types and
styles of pop vending machines.
The whole of the machine is dedicated to
identifying and advertising the brand that the m
achine is selling.
This vending machine is dedicated
to Coca-Cola products. Each type
of soda pop acts like its own sep-
erate brand with a seperate look
and advertising strategy.
There is an overwhelming amount of brand choices when
one wants to enjoy a refreshing soda. While most of the
brands of pop differ greatly, there is still mandatory and
standard typography that is on every machine. The place
that you put you money into, the warnings on the machine
and there are of the coin return are usually the same no mat-
ter what soda vending machine a person goes to. From there
the main typographical differences are found on the front
of the vending machine identifying what brand is housed
inside. The pop machines fall on the branding side of the
spectrum. The whole of the machine is dedicated to identi-
fying and advertising the brand that the machine is selling.
With the addition of the machine lighting up at night these machines are almost impossible to ignore.
Each brand has its own defining characteristics that are
seen directly in the vending machines. Coca Cola dif-
fers from Pepsi, Pepsi is different from Shasta, Shasta is
different from Big K. The type that is on the front of these
machines’ goal to get the customer to move over 12
inches and buy from a different machine. So in the pur-
suit of that persuasion the type found on pop machines
is usually big and bold. With the addition of the machine
lighting up at night these machines are almost impos-
sible to ignore. Some display the characteristic color of
the brand, red for Coca Cola and blue for Pepsi, while
others show a can falling into a bath of ice trying to look
refreshing. All of them have their brand name slapped
on the front. These machines are only about fragrantly
displaying what brand is contained inside.
Each brand has its own defin-
ing characteristics that contrast
each other. The blue color of the
Pepsi brand contrasts the gen-
eral red colors of the Coca-Cola
and Big K brands.
in the pursuit of that persuasion the type found on pop machines is usually big and bold.
There are still phrases on the machine that tell when an item is sold out, where to press to get your coins returned, or where to insert your money.
The machines still contain the regulation typography
that all other vending machines contain. There are still
phrases on the machine that tell when an item is sold
out, where to press to get your coins returned, or where
to insert your money. A main difference in these ma-
chines is how the customer chooses the product. On the
smaller machines there is only one product to be cho-
sen. On the bigger food machines numbers and letters
are how the customer chooses the product. On pop ma-
chines each button continues to advertise the products
contained. The buttons essentially have their own small
add that the customer looks at when choosing. These
tiny advertisements further add to the overall branding
effect that the machine creates. While these machines
still contain the standard information they squeeze in
their brand in any available space.
The pop machine, while still selling a
certain brand of soda, needs to instruct
the customer on how to operate and
interact with the vending machine.
redboxOne of the newer vending machines on the
market that has grocery stores closing their
video sections across the nation is the Red
Box. These boxes, that are all red, can be
seen at grocery stores, Wal-Mart, and where
they started, at McDonald’s.
The RedBox has unique ways of
communicating with the customer
that completely seperates it from
other vending machines.
the typography of the machine is different than all other machines.
RedBox is at the farthest end of the branding
spectrum. It does not even register on the stan-
dardization side. The fact that it is the only kind
of DVD vending so far in the United States leaves
nothing to compete with it. It is the standard and
an engulfing form of the brand. From the red color
of the box to the distinct typeface it is a complete
branding of itself. The typography of the machine
is different than all other machines. It still serves
the function of informing the customer of price
and the products but unlike other vending ma-
chines it has a touch screen with step-by-step in-
structions on how to purchase the products. It is an
individual and a standard at the same time.
it still serves the function of informing the customer of price and the products.
It is the standard and an engulfing form of the brand. From the red color of the box to the distinct typeface it is a complete branding of itself.
RedBox, like most other vending machines, still has the
same problem of advertising a bunch of different prod-
ucts all at the same time. More closely related to the food
genre of vending machines the Red Box shows all of the
DVDs that it is currently renting. Each of the DVDs adver-
tises themselves against each other. Each is competing
against the next, much like branded vending machines
compete directly against each other.
The RedBox advertises 49 different
movies that are each competing
to attract the customer by a small
picture of the movie cover.
Each is competing against the next much like branded vending machines compete directly against each other.
Vending machines are convenient. They provide a solu-
tion to immediate thirst or hunger or that sugar fix you
need. The functional nature of the machines seems to
lend itself to the standardization the machine. Yet the
whole point of a vending machine is to sell a product so
branding is just as crucial. The purpose of all the vending
machines’ typography is information. Whether that infor-
mation tells it the item is sold out or what brand of pop
the customer is purchasing, the typography is essentially
there to inform the customer. With such a simple and di-
rect purpose it is hard to be inventive with typography.
Where the Red Box succeeds at this task, the vending ma-
chines on the standard side of fail.
They provide a solution to immediate thirst or hunger or that sugar fix you need.
CREDITSTYPEFACESRockwell
Trade Gothic Bold No. 20
Frutiger 55 Roman
CAMERACanon Powershot SD850 IS
BIBLIOGRAPHYHistory of Vending Machine
http://ezinearticles.com/?History-of-Vending-Machine&id=99988
TYPOGRAPHY IIIPATRICK DOOLEY
FALLL 2009THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
SOLD OUT: VENDING MACHINE PUBLIC TYPOGRAPHY