To accompany the type I found it relevant to create a type specimen. Originally, type specimens were created by foundries to communicate their type inventory to pressmen. However, today it is used as a promotional piece for the type designer or foundry to sell. With websites doing the practical work of showing glyphs and letter combinations, specimens can express the feel, intended purpose or aspirations of the type. For the specimen for Dobson I needed to communicate its function as a display type while informing the viewer of the influences of the type. Personally I don't think a specimen should be over designed, the type on show has to be impactful so a stripped back approach was used for the Dobson specimen. Additionally, I wanted the aesthetic of the type to be reflected in the form and design of the specimen. Therefore, I looked at traditional specimens and typefaces which are similar to Dobson for inspiration.
The most helpful was central Avenue from Colophon Foundry who created a playful specimen for a rather traditional type. The type is based on Victorian hand-painted signs but is much more industrial and much more relevant and contemporary. In the specimen the type is presented abstract and bright, rather than a traditional black and white. It shows how you can transform a traditional type into a contemporary type through the specimen.
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