Schedule

Throughout this talk, Antonio will share the personal challenge he has faced in entering the typographic world as a digital type foundry. The origins, limitations, obstacles, and mistakes; but also the advantages, opportunities, lessons, and satisfactions that have allowed him to keep wanting to try.

In the last decade, typeface design for India's many scripts has seen tremendous growth in both original design and academic research. Despite being home to the world's largest population and having the highest number of scripts in use of any contiguous nation-state, India's typographic expression—particularly in the digital environment—leaves much to be desired. What has sparked this recent interest? What challenges do subaltern typeface designers currently face? And what does the future hold for the profession in the subcontinent? My talk attempts to answer some of these questions by reflecting on my professional practice and experiences mentoring aspiring typeface designers from India.

Although design is often seen as a solitary act, and the perfect role for introverts who thrive in independent work, some of the greatest contributions in our field have emerged through collaboration. In this talk, Beatriz will share recent projects created through various means of collaboration—with peers, communities, and even the tools used in the process. By embracing co-design and understanding the richness of other perspectives, we can create more thoughtful, inclusive, and impactful outcomes. This talk will explore how challenging ourselves to go beyond our comfort zones and step outside the solitary nature of design to embrace collective creativity can lead to innovative solutions that resonate more deeply with the world around us.

"Written in Stone" is an intimate journey through Marte's career, where the study of Geology, a passion for music, and the observation of letters throughout life have influenced their approach to graphic design. Exploring how each experience leaves a mark, Marte shares how lettering allows them to capture layers of personal history and connect the material with the emotional, creating a unique style that reflects both their past and present creativity.

Francisco will share his self-taught experience in learning and teaching typography, which has culminated in the publication of two books on this fascinating subject. This journey has allowed him to transform the independently acquired knowledge into valuable resources for those who wish to delve deeper into the world of letters.

Kel will look at the different disciplines of letter arts and how they can influence the craft of type design. He will explain insights from his background in graffiti writing, his experimental type foundry Overlap Type, and lessons learned teaching workshops. Through this look at sourcing for type ideas, Kel hopes to help students and type fans learn from more than just the metal type world of the past.

This talk seeks to examine how collaboration evolves into an essential tool for fostering creative growth. Drawing from personal experiences, I share how facing cultural, linguistic, and work-related barriers taught me to collaborate not only with others but also with concepts and with myself. It is a reflection on the challenges and rewards of integration, and how collaboration, more than just a skill, is a transformative act that broadens our perspectives and unleashes our creativity.

Ellen Lupton wrote the classic guide Thinking with Type in 2004. Creating the all-new third edition of this bestselling book required questioning everything. What assumptions are baked into the dominant design vocabulary? How can type education become more fun and forgiving? How do we expand the canon? What stories lurk behind basic forms such as spacing, capital letters, and stroke contrast? Learn some tips, tools, and insights for working with type.

At the end of her talk Ellen will host a book signing session, where her books will be also available for purchase.

Exploring new visual structures through absurdity and emerging cultural trends, Alexis invites us to discover how these elements can shape a new aesthetic dialectic. In this talk, we will delve into the relationship between absurdity and contemporary design, and how to harness these concepts to create innovative and fresh visual proposals.

Work defines us because it plays an important role in what we do, but is it really the best way to discover who we are? For me, design has been a powerful tool for self-expression and creation, although I try not to let it be the only thing that guides my life. In this talk, I'll share my journey in type design: how I found my way into it, the lessons I've learned, and what has made me stay.

The journey and reflections that shaped the design process of Ánima: what came before, and what will come after? How have I integrated what letters have taught me, both professionally and personally? Where is the line between who we are and what we do? When is it the right time to step back and see the bigger picture? Many questions, probably no answers. A lot of passion (and a hint of drama).

Cyrus Highsmith reflects on the relationship between a typographic letter and a handwritten one. His thoughts have been shaped by his own career as a type designer, training new designers at Font Bureau, Occupant Fonts, and Morisawa, as well as 20+ years of teaching at Rhode Island School of Design.

Elliot Tupac will share the context of Peruvian popular graphics and how his family trade has influenced the development of his personal style, evolving into a unique approach. His work has been key in shaping a new movement that inspires and influences future generations.