Typographic fireworks

The past weekend of bonfire night celebrations made me think of a simple piece of work by John Maeda that I first saw years ago but is still in my mind. He made his Typographic Fireworks in 1997, as part of a larger body of work commissioned by the Japanese cosmetics firm Shiseido. The calendar series of Java animations, designed ‘to waste time instead of save time’ includes a delicate flower and other treats. I think these animations still stand up. The simplicity of idea, execution and neat navigation that runs throughout Maeda’s work was all there.

Nothing more to say, really, just have a play.