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.

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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