European concepts of originality and authorship form our current understanding of typeface design. Typographic history is written as a series of “originals” created by “authors” in a discrete sequence. But can “copies” be equally as important? This lecture was delivered by Kris Sowersby at TypeCon 2018 XX in Portland, Oregon. Continue reading

The assertion “a typeface is a tool” is a typical justification for making new typefaces. It’s convenient, reassuring and sounds practical. It’s also false. Continue reading

An article by Frank Chimero about plainness in design. “Not everyone gets to be special, but everyone can be useful.” Continue reading

Typographic analysis of 6 metal logotypes for “Heavy Metal Typography” in Smith Journal, Issue 20, September 2016. Continue reading

Here is a small thought experiment for makers and sellers of digital files. Continue reading

Rudy VanderLans’s reply to our “Welcome to the Infill Font Foundry” article. Continue reading

A response to Rudy VanderLans’s claim of “In-fillism” in the typeface design industry. Continue reading

“Why do we need new typefaces?” is a perennial question from non-designers and folks who don’t use typefaces. This is an attempt at an answer. Continue reading

Four limited edition posters to raise money for the Hone Tuwhare Trust. Continue reading

“Adobe InDesign is a desktop publishing software application produced by Adobe Systems.” It is used by professional graphic designers and typographers on a daily basis. It does many things well, but it does not provide a good OpenType feature user interface. What it does provide is, in fact, abysmal. This has frustrated many of us over the years. Continue reading

Logotypes used to be hard. Not any longer! Continue reading

I often get interview requests from students. Most of the questions are pretty standard and answerable, but the dreaded “What is your inspiration?” is also guaranteed to be in there. This is a hard question to answer. I’ve given some thought to what my inspiration actually is, and I’m finally going to attempt to answer this question properly. Continue reading

Playing favourites! I’m often asked, “What is your favourite font?”. It’s an impossible question—I like too many typefaces to answer with any brevity. So here is a list—in alphabetical order—of a few typefaces I like, accompanied by specimens and short explanations. Continue reading

Playing favourites! I’m often asked, “What is your favourite font?”. It’s an impossible question—I like too many typefaces to answer with any brevity. So here is a list—in alphabetical order—of a few typefaces I like, accompanied by specimens and short explanations. Continue reading

Playing favourites! I’m often asked, “What is your favourite font?”. It’s an impossible question—I like too many typefaces to answer with any brevity. So here is a list—in alphabetical order—of a few typefaces I like, accompanied by specimens and short explanations. Continue reading

In late 2011 I was approached by DesignWorks to work on a new logotype for Air New Zealand. I was contracted to draw new letterforms to complement the iconic koru logo. This post details the design process we undertook. Continue reading