The big news of the last month is that MyFonts is now an official distributor for FontFont, one of the world’s most influential type collections. For details, take a look at the news section below. These days the world of type design is even more “democratic” than when FontFont got started – any designer with a well conceived, well executed, well marketed font has the chance to succeed at MyFonts. So, like every month, we know that any of this month’s stars could still be shining brightly in 20 years’ time.
Each typefoundry is unique, but some are more unique than others. Initiated by David Březina from Brno in the Czech Republic, the Rosetta foundry specializes in fonts for writing systems other than the Latin script (the one you’re reading now). Contributing to its growing library of beyond-Latin typefaces is a group of young designers from eight different countries, several of whom have acquired an MA in Type Design at the University of Reading (pronounced “redding” — a town not far from London). We managed to capture three of them at their alma mater, as shown above; they agreed to answer our questions about designing type for the world.
He is one of those type designers who taught himself the craft by making experimental geometric fonts, then traveled a steep learning curve by continually challenging himself. Within years he was designing highly original, beautifully drawn typefaces, and winning awards. Several of his most striking faces were published by Fountain in Sweden. He still releases work with them, but some years ago launched his own one-man label, operating from Lisbon, Portugal. Among his side projects is a series of splendid videos he designed and directed to accompany his typeface releases. Meet the multi-talented Rui Abreu.
Based in Santiago, Chile, Latinotype has been one of the most successful foundries on MyFonts in recent years. Their type library is a rapidly growing collection of typefaces in a wide array of genres. They specialize in colorful display and script faces, but have recently focused on sophisticated text faces as well. The foundry is owned and managed by a trio of type designers, two of whom have the same family name but are unrelated: Miguel Hernández, Luciano Vergara and Daniel Hernández. Yet Latinotype has worked with about a dozen talented, young designers and hopes to welcome more. Meet three of the most productive type designers in Latin America.