Publication TYPO9010

Czech Digitized Typefaces from 1990–2010

Publication TYPO9010 starts from 1990, a time when computers were starting to replace phototypesetting and copying letters by hand, and ending with 2010, when almost a dozen small type foundries were operating in the country. The book captures the most important moments at the oldest Czech type design studio (at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague) and recapitulates the most important milestones in the industry. Short texts by Czech and international typographers describing the atmosphere of the times are distributed throughout the book, which aims to present Czech type design and its digital beginnings in as much detail as possible while placing it into an international context. I’m super proud to be it’s editor in chief. 

Specification

We chose to design a unique, playful layout for TYPO9010, breaking away from the conventions of similar publications. Zuzana Lednická drew inspiration from key Czech typography milestones, adopting the format of Muzika’s Beautiful Typefaces and channeling Hlavsa’s creative playfulness from Typographia. Her bold idea was to use only the featured typefaces throughout the entire book, transforming it into one cohesive and comprehensive type specimen. 

The four distinct spines represent the generational contrasts not only among the contributing authors but also among the showcased typographers. The quote on the book’s spine could only belong to the father of Czech typography, Professor Jan Solpera.