Letterforms in public space and the archive: lettering, memory and heritage in Venice

A better understanding of design history and the relationship between lettering and other elements of cultural heritage is threatened by the defacement of typographic elements in many cities. A research on the traditions of handmade letters, especially commercial signs and lettering on boats, was conducted in Venice (Italy) seeking to identify the elements that contribute to the configuration of the city’s sense of place. A large amount of data was collected and organized, resulting in a database and a map. Results showed that current regulations do not guarantee the preservation of inscriptions. Open issues regard how typography and lettering should be archived and preserved.