Flip the Script

by Christian P. Acker

Graffiti remains one of the last reservoirs of well-practiced penmanship. A unique feature of this publication is its catalog of graffiti writers’ complete alphabets. We expect the uninformed observer shall come to recognize these letters for their raw beauty and skeletal forms and that the educated reader will appreciate the thought that has gone into the organization of this book.

In Flip the Script , author Christian Acker spent 10 years gathering a wide range of hand styles, contextualizing the lettering work of graffiti writers from around the United States. Through interviews and writing samples, Flip the Script offers deep access to some of the most talented writers in the country. These hand style heavyweights share their thoughts on subjects such as how they developed their talent and how the regional graffiti dialects differ. Acker presents the material in a clean, structured layout, evoking classic typography books. This revised, updated edition remains as relevant as ever.

Some notable contributors Chaz Bojorquez, BIG SLEEPS, MIKE GIANT, SLICK, SIVEL, POSE, AGUA, ESPO, TAKI 183, LSD Om, STAY HIGH 149, STAN 153, FREEDOM, KAVES, HAZE, CHINO, SURE, FAUST, COOL DISCO DAN, AREK, STAB, JASE, MAZE ONE, SR ONE, RELM, ALERT, RYZE, CAYPE, MES, LEAD, SEAZ, GREY, AMAZE, SMOKER, DUG ONE, SPIE, RENOS, DASH, OILER, and more.

Genres: Art, Graffiti, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2011

Reviews

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good gravy, this book is awesome. I'd recommend it to typographers and anyone interested in letterforms. How many different ways ca you write a letter? Print, cursive. Think about how you've seen that letter on signs, on TV, at the art museum, on the internet. We have a desire to dress up our letterforms, no matter the language or form, and it is still astounding to me how prettily and craftily people can represent these letters, with ink, spray can or marker.

[OSLO Zeimantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

standard for people who draw....
or need to gliff and get up like its an obstruction and and obsession
its my bible. i keep it by my bed.

i dont like that people know about it tho.
its UG AF. AS 4ever. wtvr. sobr. etc. gr

[Sacha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page after page of amazing handwritten alphabets.

[Trent Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best collections of graffiti history and traditions ever put together.

[Constantine Dhonau · Rating 5 out of 5]

unimaginable comprehensive etymology of graffiti

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this 2022 update. This book is a work of art in itself and a treasure for anyone interested in typography.

[Clarence Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for reference and history of handstyles.

[caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟 4.58/5 stars

i love love love how in depth this book is about the history of graffiti, the development and styles of different taggers/artists through time, and how manu notes and information there is to find! we even get examples from popular taggers around the US on how they tag and the symbolism within their art. flip the script is a highly fun, easy and educational read.

if you're a graphic designer or have an interest in graphology or typography, absolutely check out this book. you'll find literally millions of inspiration, highly recommend.

[Jens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable collection of graffiti hand styles, organized by city and writer. The clean layout emphasizes the calligraphy, letting every writer show off a complete alphabet as well as one or more tags. The text is mostly quotes by the artists (hundreds of them) describing their history and influences, and lots of notes on letterforms.

The creativity and energy collected here are amazing — this is undeniably art. As the introduction says, "graffiti is one of the last strongholds of highly refined penmanship." There's so much energy and rhythm to these pieces, they inspire me to take up a pen and work on my own handwriting, even if I'm not planning to get up on any trains or underpasses.

[Babir Siddique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really solid book of hand styles - previously a collection such as this was hard to attain, at least in my days of writing. Perfect substitute for the famed out of print French book "nothing but letters"

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y'know, I'm not sure what I can say about this book - it is what it is, and that is something unlike any other art, typography, or ethnography work in existence. I am in awe.