Review: "Dangerous Curves" by Doyald Young

Hermann Zapf introduces Doyald Young’s “Dangerous Curves”, not by discussing Young, but instead by singing praise to the pencil. Zapf then goes on to describe the typical height at which he drew letters, the difference between drawing for a punchcutter and a scanner, and a desire to show his own hand in his typefaces. While it’s odd not to mention the author in the introduction to a retrospective of his work, Zapf’s comments encompass the sensibility of Young’s book. An ode to intense scrutiny, “Curves” demonstrates Young's dedication to type, nuance, and the human hand in design.

Posted by Chris Hamamoto on May 19, 2008 | LINK | Comments (14)

An Interview with Cyrus Highsmith

Cyrus Highsmith is a Senior Designer at the Font Bureau in Boston and faculty member at Rhode Island School of Design. He has been called "one of the truly original new voices in American type design" on account of his vast range of new typefaces, alongside numerous revivalist projects. I met Cyrus while at RISD and he has since left a lasting impression on my approach to typography and type design. Cyrus was kind enough to answer a few questions for us, sharing some insight into his type filled world.

Posted by Christian Palino on Apr 10, 2008 | LINK | Comments (2)

Our Favorite Typefaces of 2007

Typographica’s fourth annual review showcases the best in new typeface design. Twenty-five of the world’s brightest graphic and type designers selected their favorite font releases of the year. We welcome to our regular cast of contributors: David Berlow, Ellen Lupton, and Erik Spiekermann, among others.

This edition brings two changes. First, the description has evolved from “fonts” to “typefaces”. Yes, there is a difference. Mark Simonson explains it best:

“The physical embodiment of a collection of letters (whether it’s a case of metal pieces or a computer file) is a font. When referring to the design of the collection (the way it looks) you call it a typeface.”

Our feature is more accurately a celebration of new typefaces than new fonts. Keeping these two terms distinct may be a losing battle at a time when some have already declared the words interchangeable, but we’re going to go down fighting.

Also new this year is an expanded format. Each selection gets a larger sample image, its own comment thread, and (where available) examples of the typeface in real-world use. I hope the new format encourages discussion about each face and stimulates the typographic side of your design brain.

Finally, a word on who to watch for in 2008. I was tickled when our list was once declared “the Oscars of type design”. That label is too grand — but what the heck, let’s run with it. A few rare actors and directors are nominated for two Academy Awards in a single show. It’s just as remarkable when a type designer is honored for more than one typeface from the same year. Our latest crop of honorees has three such standouts: Tomáš Brousil, Christian Schwartz, and Kris Sowersby. Schwartz makes a perennial appearance on the list — no surprise there. But Brousil and Sowersby are newcomers, each showing incredible talent, range, and an ability to meet the needs of the modern graphic designer.

Without further ado, the envelopes please.

National Selected by Duncan Forbes	Beorcana Selected by Florian Hardwig	Graphik Selected by Kris Sowersby	Burgues Script Selected by Christian Palino
Giorgio Selected by Ben Kiel	FF Meta Serif Selected by Aegir Hallmundur	Greta Selected by C. Jenkins & W. Berkson	Arno Pro Selected by Mark Simonson
Minuscule Selected by Erik Spiekermann	Malaga Selected by Tiffany Wardle	Restraint Selected by Corey Holms	Kinescope Selected by Tiffany Wardle
Beowolf/Sans Selected by David Berlow	Blaktur Selected by Tiffany Wardle	Feijoa Selected by Yves Peters	Burbank Selected by Christian Schwartz
Gloriola Selected by Stephen Coles	BistroScript Selected by Nick Sherman	Taz III Selected by Karsten Lücke	Leitura Selected by Christian Palino
Anselm Selected by Paul Hunt	MVB Sacre Bleu Selected by Joshua Lurie-Terrell	Fab Selected by Ricardo Cordoba	Olicana Selected by Eben Sorkin
Purista Selected by Ellen Lupton	Urbana Selected by Eben Sorkin	J. N. Scripts Selected by John Downer	Los Niches Selected by Anna Malsberger
Lineare Serif Selected by Tim Ahrens	Dancer Selected by Jan Middendorp
Other Notable Releases With a few of the editor’s favorites at the top of each category.
Suite/System Chronicle Publico FP Dancer [FontShop] Voice Verse Serif Karmina [FontShop] [Veer] Andralis ND [FontShop] [MyFonts] Alida Academica Rebecca Samuels Romain BP FF Holmen [More Info] [FontFont] TYMA Garamont [MyFonts] Cosmiqua Malena [MyFonts] Sans Neutraface No. 2 ARS Maquette Deva Ideal [Typophile Discussion] Ronnia [FontShop] [Veer] Andrew Samuels Adam BP FF Good [More Info] [FontFont] Seravek FF Speak [More Info] [FontFont] Executive Morris Sans Tangent Volt, Volt A Quantico ARS Region Economica Botija [MyFonts] Newsletter Stag Sans See also: Our Favorite Typefaces of 2004, 2005, 2006		Display EsquireHeadline MVB Solano Soho P22 Declaration [MyFonts] [FontShop] Sibyl Hellenic Wide Jana Thork Sans Papier Empire State Building ARS District Softmachine [MyFonts] [FontShop] [Veer] ARS Trio Corpulent PTL Attack [FontShop] [MyFonts] Brasserie Shango Gothic Amity Flexion [TDC2 Winner] FP Head Parcel [MyFonts] Snicker [MyFonts] [FontShop] [Veer] Glenlake Kartell [MyFonts] Pilo Stripes ARS Deviata Area Script Candy Script Novia [FontShop] Feel Script Casey [FontShop] B-Movie Retro RoyHand Jezebel [MyFonts] Joyscript Contempo Élan Brandy BF Plumage [MyFonts] Galgo Script

The “Type 2007” logo is set in Gloriola by Tomáš Brousil. Many thanks to our contributors for their excellent reviews, and to the brilliant blog wranglers at Apperceptive for bringing our rickety old site back to life. — Stephen Coles

Posted by Typographica on Mar 08, 2008 | LINK | Comments (23)