Read an Excerpt

The NEW BANNER BOOK

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By Betty Wolfe

Church Publishing Incorporated

Copyright © 1998 Betty Wolfe
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8192-1781-3

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CHAPTER 1

Getting Started

using banners

where when how why

Places

church, parish hall, narthex, classroom, office, home, entry hall—in fact, any space that needs a spot of color

Times and occasions

Seasons: Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost

Celebrations: weddings, baptisms, confirmations, bar mitzvahs

Special events: festivals, pageants

As hangings

against the wall, from a pole, from the ceiling, as a divider, on the lectern, pulpit, or altar

Carried

in a procession: entry, gospel, offertory, wedding, or festival

Purposes

to produce a mood or set the stage for a specific event; to add color, beauty, and meaning to an event; to define an area; to identify a place or organization, as a memorial, a gift, or a permanent work of art

the FIRST decision how BIG?

The size will be determined by:

* the size of the room

* the height of the ceiling

* the available wall space

How it will be used:

If the banner is to be carried, it must be a comfortable size for the person who carries it.

Processional banners should be two-sided.

the SECOND decision what SHAPE?

Shape is primarily a matter of proportion—the ratio of height to width, that is, tall and thin, short and wide, etc. In general, this is determined by where and how the banner will be used.

Examples: square (1 × 1), rectangular, horizontal or vertical, (1 × 1, 1 ½ × 1, 1 × 1 ½, 1 × 2, 1 × 3, and so on)

Another shape may be added to the bottom of a basic rectangular shape.

The dominant horizontals and verticals of all of the above shapes relate well to architecture, but any shape that will hang is possible. Experiment with: (a) panels hanging side by side, (b) twisted or draped shapes, (c) layered shapes, or (d) inverted triangles.

the THIRD decision the MESSAGE

In addition to being a decorative hanging, a banner speaks.

The very nature of fabric hanging loosely, moving with every breath of air, free to flow, to sway, to flap, speaks of freedom, of motion, of aliveness.

what can a BANNER say and do?

produce a mood, an atmosphere of welcome, joy, solemnity, peace, quiet, excitement, celebration, thoughtfulness, devotion, inspiration

proclaim hope, victory, praise, good news, a message, a slogan, a motto, a challenge, a prayer, glories of the past, action in the present, visions for the future

affirm the faith, an ideal, the truth

identify an event, a group, a season, an organization

how does a banner SPEAK?

through:

words

See pages 8–18.

a combination of LETTERS

symbols

See pages 19–32.

SIGNS

FIGURES (people shapes)

a STORY/EVENT

color

See pages 33–36.

design

See page 41.

TWO KINDS

the MESSAGE through WORDS

In this age of literacy, the most universally understood symbols are words. Words may be the only symbols on a banner. Often a thought that must be proclaimed through words speaks more emphatically without additional symbols.

Designing with letter forms alone can be as challenging a problem as arranging other kinds of shapes or symbols. The resulting banner can be rich, colorful, and decorative.

Study the letters on the following pages to help you create an attractive hanging.

Often a banner expressing an idea through shapes and symbols will be made more meaningful through the addition of a word or phrase as a key to its interpretation.

Examples: JOY, PEACE, PAX, LOVE, REJOICE, ALLELUIA, SHALOM, AMEN

Banners for saints, seasons, historical characters, or groups may be identified with a name.

Examples:

* ST. PETER

* ST. MARY'S CHURCH

* CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN

* ST. HILDA'S GUILD

* TRINITY PREP

* THE WESLEY CLASS

* THE BELL RINGERS

* FEAST OF LIGHTS

* REDEEMER CHURCH

* ST. CECELIA CHOIR

For banners with a religious theme, the Scriptures, hymns, psalms, liturgies, and canticles are sources of meaningful words. The phrases are countless, the translations many.

Examples:

* Glory Be to God

* Glory to God

* Thy Kingdom Come

* Venite Adoremus

* Bread of Heaven

* Cup of Salvation

* Jesus Is Lord

* God Is Love

* Christ Is Risen

* Read, Mark, Learn

* Kyrie Eleison

* Do This

* One in the Lord

* One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

* O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

* Love One Another

* Praise the Lord

SAMPLES of various type styles

SOME THINGS TO DO to make lettering easier and fun

1. Observe the great variety of letter forms used in printing and advertising. Become aware of their basic shapes, proportions, and individual characteristics.

2. Make a collection of letters from magazines and newspapers. Include both capital and small letters, roman and italic. Bold letters (with thick strokes) will be especially helpful. Also include samples of condensed (narrow), expanded (wide), and italic letters. Notice the small variations in form that give each typeface its particular style. Look at the width of strokes—where they are thick or thin. Observe the spacing of letters within the word.

3. Following the directions on page 10, make a chart of CAPS. This is especially helpful if you plan to work with young people or other groups making banners.

the MESSAGE through WORDS

Words are made of letters. There are two basic kinds of letters:

1. capital letters (CAPS)—uppercase, either sans serif or with serifs

2. small letters—lowercase, either sans serif or with serifs

CAPS

Below is a chart of bold sans serif caps arranged according to standard widths.

Notice: The letters are all the same height, but they vary in width.

important:

* In sans serif letters, the ends of all straight strokes are square.

* The center horizontal stroke of the E and H is slightly above center.

* On the A and F, the center stroke is below center.

* The vertical of the G is its distinguishing feature.

* The I and J have no cross pieces at top or bottom.

* The diagonals of the K and R hook onto the upright.

* The bottoms of the V, W, and N are almost points. Also, the "V" of the M touches the bottom letter line, and the mid-point of the W touches the top letter line.

* The center stroke of the E and F is as wide as the top stroke.

small LETTERS

An alphabet of small (lowercase) letters can be designed from four basic shapes.

These forms are:

1—the o form

2—the curve of the n

3—the straight line as in i and I

4—the diagonal lines

Combine them to make all of the lowercase letters.

Notice that only the b, d, h, f, I, and k are tall letters with ascending strokes the height or higher than the caps. The t is shorter than the other tall letters and the cross bar is at the height of the letter line. Note the height of the upper diagonal stroke of the k.

The g, p, q, j, and y have descending strokes that go below the letter line.

notice

In the letters at the right, changing the shape and slant of the three basic shapes will change the style of the alphabet. Try expanding, slanting, joining, and adding serifs to make your own lowercase alphabet.

PATTERNS for LETTERS

Here is an easy way to cut your own patterns.

Cut strips of paper the height of the letters in your banner design.

Referring to the chart on page 10, mark off the width of each letter in the words of your banner. Try chalk.

If your patterns turn out to be too large or small, reduce or enlarge them on a copy machine and save lots of time.

Within these widths, draw the letters. Think about what will be cut away in order to leave the bold letter forms required for a banner.

Cut apart and cut out each letter. Notice that the straight tops and bottoms are already cut. Since these are patterns, cut through to get inside a letter.

Mechanical (measured) regularity in width of letter strokes or of duplicate letters is not necessary—in fact, it gives a sterile look. These letters have a slight flare. See page 16.

For O's and other round letters, cut the strip a fraction wider in order to compensate for the optical illusion that will make these letters appear too short.

In most banners the strokes of cutout letters should be bold, not thin.

a bonus

These letters are excellent for posters and bulletin boards.

Once you know the basic proportions of letters, you are free to have fun with them. In other words, once you understand the rules, you can break them.

some variations

Make extended strokes—if they enhance the design.

Overlap an occasional letter if it fits. Some will fit inside each other easily, or touch comfortably. Don't force them.

Vary the width of the strokes.

Bounce letters up and down a very little, or stagger slightly. Either technique will give a less mechanical, more vibrant effect.

Try leaving the centers solid.

Add serifs. See page 16.

Do not do any of these unless they enhance the design. Fancy or clever letters are not more beautiful, nor more easily read.

for the PROFESSIONAL look

SOME DOs AND DON'Ts for arranging letters and words

spacing

BETWEEN LETTERS

Pack the letters close together within each word.

Some combinations of letters can be permitted to touch each other.

BETWEEN WORDS

Between words, leave room for an O.

BETWEEN LINES

Normally the space between lines of letters should be narrow, almost touching.

emphasis

to emphasize an important word, use one large letter or large letters in that one word.

but

do not capitalize the first letters of a line of capital letters.

always arrange the letters HORIZONTALLY

The WORDS are to be read; therefore, they ought to be legible at a glance.

1. When space is short, arrange a word in syllables.

2. Arrange words as though within a rectangle if they fit without forcing.

3. Arrange lines of words blocking them either to the left or right margin, or both when possible.

4. Group words as if contained within a circle or elliptical shape.

5. When the design demands a vertical or a diagonal, turn the entire word.

Do not arrange words vertically or on the diagonal. Diagonal margins carry the eye to the corner of the composition, destroying the basic rectangular shape of the banner design.

SERIFS

CAPS

The caps in the chart on page 10 are bold sans serif letters, i.e., letters without decorative endings.

The addition of the serif changes the style of the letters.

In addition to thick and thin strokes and small variations in proportions, the design of the serif accounts for the many styles of letters used in printing.

Notice that there are almost never serifs on the top of A, or on the pointed bottoms of M, N, V, and W.

ALPHABETS

These letters are OPTIMA BOLD, 36 point, CAPS (uppercase)

These letters are optima bold, 36 point, small (lowercase)

This style of letters is called UNCIAL and is adapted from medieval handwritten letter forms and designed bold to be appropriate for cutting from fabric. The letters tend to be rather elegant and are spaced very close together, sometimes touching.

The letters below are lowercase, designed for banners. There are no caps.

Suggestion: Enlarge the letters on a copy machine. Although there is no standard height for letters on banners, they should be at least 21/2" to 3" tall.

For more formal or traditional style banners, use UNCIAL or VERSAL letters. The forms below are adapted from medieval pen letters for cutout letters.

Characteristics of uncial

1. Round forms are used for D, E, H, M, N, P, T, U, and W.

2. The vertical strokes are thick; the horizontals are thin.

3. The ascending strokes of D, H, K, and L go above the letter line. The descending strokes of J, P, Q, and Y go below the letter line.

Characteristics of VERSAL

These are based on roman letter forms (page 10), but they were handwritten letters, and each scribe developed his own style and proportions.

1. The vertical strokes are thick; the horizontal strokes thin.

2. All strokes flare slightly toward the ends.

3. There is a slight bow on the round strokes.

the MESSAGE through SYMBOLS

Christian symbols, like letters, are simple forms, not realistic pictures of objects. The meanings of the symbols, like letters, must be learned. This is not a part of public-school learning; some are understood by association, some are picture like. Actually, many are letters from the Greek alphabet.

To their advantage, the meaning and basic forms of symbols are the same no matter what language one speaks. They are universal signs. Many Christian symbols date back to the first centuries after Christ, while Old Testament symbols are older than the writings of the Scriptures.

When natural forms (birds, animals, plants, people) and man-made objects (buildings, tools, and so on) are depicted, they should be symbolic, that is, simple, conventionalized and two-dimensional.

The symbols on the following pages may be put together in many combinations in order to tell a story or proclaim the message.

EXAMPLES

CROSS or CHI RHO combined with

* a FISH = salvation through Christ

* a CROWN = God's reign = Christ the King

* NAILS = Passion of Christ

* FIVE DOTS = five wounds of Christ

* THREE CIRCLES = Christian marriage

* DESCENDING DOVE = grace

* DOVE WITH WATER = baptism (of Christ)

* ALPHA and OMEGA AΩ = God's eternity

* STAR OF DAVID = old and new Covenant

SYMBOLS

sketches, meanings, and descriptions

CROSSES—The Christian symbol = sacrifice, God's love, salvation. Crosses always stand upright in their original position.

SYMBOLS

THE CHRISMON and OTHER MONOGRAMS

CHI RHO = CH R (Greek) monogram for Christ.

IOTA CHI = I (J) & CH = Jesus Christ

IOTA ETA SIGMA = I (J), E (H), and S (or C) = JES in Greek IHS or IHC

ALPHA and OMEGA = AΩ, the beginning and the end, or eternity. Use with a cross or a symbol for Christ.

NIKA = victor or victory over death through the cross

IC XC = IOTA SIGMA JS = JESUS = CHI SIGMA CS = CHRISTUS

INRI = Jesus of Nazareth, King (Rex) of the Jews; the sign over the cross at the crucifixion

SYMBOLS

NIMBUS – circle of light

HALO = holy, sanctified, a saint

– triradiant = divinity

CROSS AND ORB = orb represents the world, the cross = triumph of the Savior over the sins of the world; Christ's conquest and reign; gospel in the world; Epiphany

CIRCLE = everlasting, eternal, wholeness, unity

– two close, or interlaced = marriage or family

– with cross, Christ symbol, or dove = Christian marriage

TRIANGLE – Holy Trinity

– in a circle = unity of the Holy Trinity

TREFOIL – three interlacing circles = Holy Trinity

– with circle = eternal, Trinity in unity

FLEUR-DE-LIS – a conventionalized lily

= Holy Trinity, the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin Mary, purity

= Christ's humanity

LILY = St. Gabriel, Archangel, Annunciation

= Easter; suggests life from death as bloom comes from bulb

SUN = prophetic symbol for Jesus

= Sun of Righteousness

MOON = the Blessed Virgin Mary; her glory is in the reflection of the Sun

STARS = light, a part of God's creation

– four points = cross form

– five points = star of Bethlehem, Epiphany, five books of Moses

– six points = star of David

– seven points = gifts of the Holy Spirit

– eight points = regeneration, rebirth, baptism

– nine points = fruits of the Spirit

MENORAH – seven-branch candlestick = Old Testament = worship

FIRE FLAMES – tongues of fire = Pentecost, Holy Spirit seven = seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

= the presence of God, as in burning bush, the pillar of fire

CANDLES = light, Jesus, light of the world, the mystery of the Incarnation

wax = Jesus' human body; wick = his soul;

flame = his divinity

two = humanity and divinity of Jesus

four = Advent

seven = gifts of the Spirit, sacraments
(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The NEW BANNER BOOK by Betty Wolfe. Copyright © 1998 Betty Wolfe. Excerpted by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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