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Let’s talk about the future of type-design

I started drawing typefaces during my university time. Well, I wasn’t such a perfectionist as my classmates, and have not finished any typeface uptil now. But there are already seven fonts in progress. During my studies, I was supervised by a couple of professional type designers such as Erik Faulhaber, Samuel Čarnoky and in TypoLab by Pavol Bálik and Michal Tornyai. I guess many of us are attracted by the peace of mind and freedom from a specific place or time that type design provides. But also many of us do not overcome obstacles which font development brings. Eric Faulhaber once said on this topic : “Yes, it is possible, but it takes time to realize it”. So obvious, isn’t it? And it remains in my mind like a dream.

Then I bought my iPad and started using those well-crafted apps in all kinds of places, even while sitting on the toilet. I got this dream’s flashback. What if I can use my iPad to create typefaces? Using simple, well-crafted application and share it with my fellows. Can you imagine? Lying in a hamok, a sofa, sitting on the beach, in a favourite cafe, in a public transport or just at my home. What a joyfull idea.

I know, I can still use a laptop, but! Look at your iPad. And now look at your laptop again. And back at your iPad. Do you see the difference? Do you see, what “mobile” really means? And what about the tools you use? Compare it with the intuitive tools on iPad. Sounds like a hardcore hipster right, huh. I guess, you don’t want to carry your laptop to your holiday. Me neither. But in a train, I pull out my iPad as fast as my nosh. The advantage of a lightweight device with retina display may allow this magic. And if we go further, leverage the multitouch gestures, allows us to simplify interfaces and bring fun to workflow.

Let’s talk about the next generation of type-designers. They need next generation tools. They want to enjoy pure creativity, without repetition, experience with real time collaboration or more native way of workflow. Handling with Python — what an obstacle can this be for most of us? Maybe we do not even need to use paper thanks to the high-resolution displays. And here you can help me to remove more unnecessary articles from type design workflow.

The reason for writing this article is to share my dream. I want to start a discussion about what our ideal type design tool should look like. What we hate most about type design tools and how to build up a new lovely one with the current technology’ s possibilities. Let’s explore the type design frontier together. The future is ours (too).

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