Reviving Type

posted by Robyn Pitts October 22, 2019

Written and designed by Céline Hurka and Nóra Békés and with a foreword by Frank E. Blokland, Reviving Type is a book that deals with archives, their use in contemporary type design, and the type revival design process. The publication aims to combine historical, theoretical and archive research with type design practice in order to create a platform for critical reflection and discourse within the field. Published by Acute Publishing in September 2019, the publication is an open documentation of the type design process. Design decisions, technical details and difficulties of the process are thoroughly discussed. Reviving Type compares two eras in the history of type design, as well as two different approaches to create type revivals.

Through the medium of the publication, two studies that began as university assignments are developed into independent and in-depth research projects. The first study looks at the Renaissance letters of Garamont and Granjon, and the second is about the Baroque types of Nicholas Kis. To explain the texts visually, rich imagery of original archival material and technical illustrations have been implemented.

Two different approaches to type design have also been juxtaposed in order to create a conversation piece about working methods. Through hands-on examples, the first part of the book provides insight into the historical development of type design with a theoretical background. The second part of the publication provides a thorough explanation of the production process of the revival typefaces. The book concludes with specimens of both typefaces, showing them next to the original material alongside a conversation between the two authors.

Reviving Type guides the reader from finding original sources in archives, through historical investigation and design process to the finished typeface. “In the future we strive to create a platform for discourse around type design, book design, archives and language” explain the authors. They aim to organise events and workshops in order to facilitate and create experimental and classical publishing projects.