Fauxsaics are a newly emerging illustration style that is inspired by the classic tile mosaics found in hotel foyers, subway stations and public areas of some of the world’s most beautiful cities. Pioneered by the talented artist Nick Misani, these complex typography mosaic illustrations are becoming the next big design trend. Each piece begins in Adobe Illustrator, where the basic type is formed and surrounded by reference gridlines. The design is printed and painstakingly traced by hand to draw each individual tile outline, before being scanned and finished off with with colour fills and a superimposed pair of feet to simulate a real photograph of a tiled floor.

Milano by Nick Misani

Milano by Nick Misani

GO: The Travel Issue by Nick Misani

GO: The Travel Issue by Nick Misani

La Jolla by Nick Misani

La Jolla by Nick Misani

Boston by Nick Misani

Boston by Nick Misani

San Diego, CA by Nick Misani

San Diego, CA by Nick Misani

Mexico City, Mexico by Nick Misani

Mexico City, Mexico by Nick Misani

Kansas City, MO by Nick Misani

Kansas City, MO by Nick Misani

Atlanta, GA by Nick Misani

Atlanta, GA by Nick Misani

London, UK by Nick Misani

London, UK by Nick Misani

Santa Domingo by Nick Misani

Santa Domingo by Nick Misani

Atlanta Mosaic Type by Zachary Smith

Atlanta Mosaic Type by Zachary Smith

Mosaic Type by Zachary Smith

Mosaic Type by Zachary Smith

LOVE by Zachary Smith

LOVE by Zachary Smith

Creative South Mosaic by Zachary Smith

Creative South Mosaic by Zachary Smith

Creative Block by Ian Barnard

Creative Block by Ian Barnard

Flagship Clothing Co. by Curtis Shay

Flagship Clothing Co. by Curtis Shay

Wahoo’s Fish Taco by Sean O’Connor

Wahoo's Fish Taco by Sean O'Connor

Perpetually Momentary by Sean O’Connor

Perpetually Momentary by Sean O'Connor

Boulevard Tank 7 by Dave Douglass

Boulevard Tank 7 by Dave Douglass

Rio de Janeiro by Theresa Feth

Rio de Janeiro by Theresa Feth

Lissabon by Theresa Feth

Lissabon by Theresa Feth

Los Angeles California by Kot Sifir

Los Angeles California by Kot Sifir

Toronto by Caroline Teng

Toronto by Caroline Teng

Sorry by Tash Tenggoro

Sorry by Tash Tenggoro

They Call Me Mama Bear by Joy Kelley

They Call Me Mama Bear by Joy Kelley

W by Sezentuncatuna

W by Sezentuncatuna

L by Luke Ritchie

L by Luke Ritchie

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21 Comments

  1. I can’t believe how intricate and detailed these are. Some people have a lot of patience. Milano would have to be my favourite with London a close second.

  2. There’s another technique where it can all be in illustrator. After the initial text lay out is created, it’s possible to use a collection of ‘primitives’ – square, hexagon, arc and arrange the shapes manually.

    The border around London or the background of Atlanta could be built up quit quickly, possibly even Rio. With some detailed variation placed by hand. Even the border around ‘Flagship’ could start as an offset path.

    Add some texture and a few graphic styles to the fills and you’re a long way there. Still going to take ages though

  3. These are stunning. You can see how much time has gone into them – they look so real! I love this style and really want to have a play with it. Thanks for sharing!

  4. Great post for Great typography. The mag cover is one of my fav. Bravo to Nick Misani and to all the other fine typographers.

  5. In our downtown district, occasionally, one comes across an old mosaic, cracked and worn, in places one would not expect, like, where a former business once stood, but, is now a parking lot. They left the mosaic! Someone realized the importance!
    Thank you for sharing these. I couldn’t help but notice that Nick Misani’s are quite large and colorful, whereas some are mainly the name. There are some near the end that are colorful, too, though, I really like Nick’s!
    Thanks for this!
    Su

  6. Amazing Styles , I didn’t even knew about typography before reading this but now I know and have seen such amzaing designs , thanks for sharing !!

  7. Really good, #fausaics – Love the hashtag!

    Haven’t really picked up on this trend yet, but will certainly keep an eye out and thanks for sharing the advice and tutorial above!

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