New Typefaces: Positions and Perspectives

In "New Typefaces" contemporary type designs are presented in words and pictures. Leading graphic artists offer insights into the thinking that underlies their work, offering an overview of current developments in the technical, aesthetic and socio-political world that influence their designs. In the 1970s there were possibly only one hundred new typefaces published, today there are tens of thousands of fonts and this is increasing. This collection shows that current type design is exciting, original and reflective of cultural trends and ideas; illustrated using over seventy different unique and original type designs. For the exhibition "Call for Type. New Fonts. New Typefaces" at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, twenty typefaces were chosen to reflect the work of very individual designers; these are explored in the form of interviews in the book. This is an astounding collection of experimental type designs, based either on a specific theme or concept representative of a created design project. From display fonts with a small range of styles, to a range of commercial art, to typefaces for books and publishing, the diversity of typeface has developed systematically over the years largely due to the passion and commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism that are the driving forces behind some of today's most exciting and unconventional designers.

Petra Eisele studied Art History and German. She was a Research Associate for the History and Theory of Design at the Bauhaus University, Weimar. She has been Professor of History and Theory of Design at the FH Mainz since 2006. Isabel Naegele studied Visual Arts at the HfG-Offenbach; since 1999, she has been Professor of Typography and Basics of Design at the FH Mainz. Annette Ludwig has been Director of the Gutenberg Museum Mainz since 2011.