We have a fabulous selection of international guests critics visiting us at TypeParis Summer25. We wanted to find out a little more about each of them, so have presented them with a series of questions which they have generously taken the time to answer. Discover Cecilia del Castillo’s interview.
Biography Cecilia del Castillo is a Mexican type designer and calligrapher, her work is deeply connected to her roots and her passion for calligraphy, focusing on exploring the intersections between cultural heritage, craftsmanship, calligraphy, and type design. In 2023 she was selected as one of the TDC Ascenders by the Type Directors Club in New York which recognizes individuals who are making significant contributions to typography, lettering, and type design.
Interview
What’s your favourite way to start the day?
Cecilia del Castillo Always with a cup of coffee, sitting on the terrace, and feeling the first rays of sun. If I manage not to be too stressed about what I have to do during the day, I take that moment to read. I can't say I always succeed with the reading — but the coffee and the sun, absolutely.
What kind of workspace do you prefer?
Cecilia del Castillo I mainly work from my studio. In the past, I worked from home for many years, but I realized how hard it was for me to know when to stop working and maintain a good balance. Sometimes working a lot doesn’t mean working well or efficiently, so now I prefer to leave the house, go to the studio, and then take a break to come home, cook, and do other things.
Favorite kind of music to listen to while working?
Cecilia del Castillo I love music, but sometimes it can have a huge effect on my mood. That’s why I consciously choose what to listen to depending on what I’m doing, and I usually go for music that lifts my spirits and gives me energy. That can mean all kinds of genres — some more popular, others widely hated but deeply loved by me, like reggaeton. I also listen to a lot of podcasts and audiobooks. Recently, while working on a typeface, I’ve been listening mostly to audiobooks by a specific author, Isabel Allende. I absolutely love her stories, and her voice brings me a sense of peace. And in my most stressful moments — when time is tight and I need to concentrate but also feel a sense of urgency — I turn to classical music. I can listen to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on loop for hours.
Do you consult any forms of social media?
Cecilia del Castillo I mostly use Instagram. I share my work, but also a lot about my process and sometimes parts of my personal life. Because of who I am, everything kind of mixes together — type is part of my life on every level. Social media is one of the ways I stay connected with friends and colleagues. But I’m also aware of how harmful social media can be when it’s used just to watch what others are doing and compare yourself, so I avoid that.
“Sometimes working a lot doesn’t mean working well or efficiently, so now I prefer to leave the house, go to the studio, and then take a break to come home, cook, and do other things.”
– Cecilia del Castillo
What do you do to take a break from work?
Cecilia del Castillo I do CrossFit three times a week and usually go for a run on the beach on weekends. Exercise gives me a lot of energy, and even though I sometimes feel lazy like everyone else, I’ve made it a habit because I always feel better when my day starts with it. Calligraphy is also a way for me to disconnect. I know it’s related to my work, but it’s a practice that I really enjoy doing and can spend hours on. It relaxes me and makes me happy. Cooking, and especially eating and trying food from different places, is also at the top of my list of obsessions.
What drives you to create new typefaces?
Cecilia del Castillo I believe the alphabet is a material meant to be shaped — deconstructed, and recreated as many times as you want. That’s what fascinates me about type: letters are like clay, flexible and adaptable to ideas, concepts, worlds, and cultures. They speak for themselves, depending on how you use and mold them. I see type as an endless resource, and that’s what I’m passionate about. Designing a typeface is also a way for me to express myself and my background, and I’m always curious to see how others express themselves through their own ways of drawing and interpreting type. I heard this in a lecture and couldn’t agree more: Type is never neutral. It reflects who we are and where we come from, and I find that deeply fascinating from every perspective.
Do you think AI will change the way we design typefaces?
Cecilia del Castillo This is a complex and relevant topic today. I believe it will have an impact in some way. AI is already making a huge impact on different levels, but my hope is that, related to type, it only serves as a tool to automate tasks and make our work more efficient. I don’t think it will be able to replace the creativity and human aspects of the process. There are many elements that are inherently human and cannot be replicated. At the same time, I believe that’s exactly why it’s important for us to continue developing analog and artistic skills that enrich our work, and to use AI to our advantage, rather than feel threatened by it.
What is your ratio of self-initiated typefaces vs. typefaces for clients?
Cecilia del Castillo Personally, I find a lot of inspiration in the story behind creating a typeface. So far, all my projects have been self-initiated, and I think what drives me at the beginning is the story I start weaving behind the letters. I’m passionate about doing research, sketching, looking for inspiration, thinking about what I want the typeface to say, exploring different directions, moving forward and then stepping back to see how everything starts to come together. However, after collaborating with foundries, I’ve found that working with a brief for a client — and having certain restrictions or limits — can actually push your creativity. It all depends on how you approach the challenge. If instead of feeling limited, If, instead of feeling limited, you find a way to solve the problem from a different angle, you can discover joy in almost everything you create.
Are you someone who draws or redraws type classics or someone who seeks to totally invent new forms?
Cecilia del Castillo Recently, while studying at TypeMedia, I had the opportunity to draw a revival. It was something completely new to me and, honestly, the idea of “redrawing” existing shapes initially seemed boring. But life gave me a slap in the face — because that revival ended up being one of the projects I’ve enjoyed the most. Not only was it a huge learning experience, but it also became the starting point for my final project at TypeMedia. My mistaken perspective on what a revival really is changed completely. After that experience, the idea of “reviving” the work of a punchcutter who lived more than 200 years ago — filtered through the eyes of someone living in 2025 — and blending those worlds together feels truly fascinating to me. Of course, there are already many excellent revivals of the classics, but I believe it's a learning process that anyone designing type should go through, always with respect and humility. Looking through the lens of the classics and their context doesn’t just give you answers — it opens up endless new questions. And that’s what it’s all about.
“Looking through the lens of the classics and their context doesn’t just give you answers — it opens up endless new questions. And that’s what it’s all about.”
– Cecilia del Castillo
Is it possible to draw a typeface for a language or writing whose language we do not know?
Cecilia del Castillo I believe it’s essential to respect the language, writing system, history, and heritage of every culture. As a type designer, I’m definitely interested in learning to design other scripts. However, if I were to develop a real project that includes Latin and another script, I would
always collaborate closely with a native speaker and learn from their insights to create a cohesive and well-informed design.
Calligraphy being such a core part of your personal type practice, do you use it as the starting off point for your typeface projects?
Cecilia del Castillo Calligraphy is definitely an essential part of my process, but during my time at TypeMedia I learned to approach drawing letters from different perspectives. I learned to let go of the fear of making mistakes and to use calligraphic tools without chasing perfection — especially when I'm exploring shapes or ideas. There’s a difference between going into “calligrapher mode” to develop a piece that’s faithful to a specific style, and using calligraphic tools as a method of exploration. That shift in mindset has been a big discovery for me. Now I experiment without fear, and I feel free to break everything apart and rebuild it until I find a clear direction.
As for inspiration, it comes from many places, but especially from my personal story and where I come from. My culture has deeply influenced my work. Looking back at my roots — alongside all the other factors that have shaped my path — has helped me define my own voice as a designer. I also find Mexico and my culture to be an endless source of inspiration, one I’m deeply proud of and love to represent through my work.
What would be your recommendation to someone who wants to take a break from graphic design and learn type design?
Cecilia del Castillo My recommendation would be, first and foremost, to take action within the possibilities available to you. Not everyone has the same resources to invest in programs, but if you have the interest, there are many ways to start practicing — by doing calligraphy, sketching on your own, or reaching out to people who can teach you or share resources. There are now many affordable online courses to get started, and good type design programs abroad make an effort to offer scholarships to students who need them. In my case, my work as a designer has helped fund my education as a type designer. It has been the best investment I could have made, investing my time and resources into starting my training to become a type designer. Every program I’ve taken has been another piece in my learning process, and all of them have given me so much, both professionally and personally. Before attending TypeParis, I already had a clear interest in type design and had worked on a type project, but mostly I had focused on calligraphy. But I used to see those two disciplines as separate. What TypeParis did was solidify that knowledge and give it structure, helping me understand more deeply what this discipline is all about in terms of synthesizing shapes and creating a typographic system. It was after that experience, and after meeting and seeing people who do this professionally, that everything clicked, and I decided to fully commit and put all my energy into continuing to improve and grow in this field.
Do you remember when you decided to pursue your career in design and who were your mentors?
Cecilia del Castillo The day I discovered calligraphy through my teacher Keith Adams, I also discovered my passion for letters. I was fascinated by the way he mastered his craft and by the value of devoting your life to a discipline — the attention to detail, the gesture, the patience, the discipline, the pursuit of perfection, and the humility it requires. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible type designers in Barcelona, Paris, and the Netherlands. It would be a long list if I named them all, but I hold deep admiration for those who are truly passionate about their craft — who live it, refine it, and generously share their knowledge to help it grow. And among these people, it’s not just teachers and professionals — there are also classmates, the people I’ve studied and shared this journey with. Talented and humble friends who have also taught me so much and helped me grow.
During your creative process, do you sketch on paper before moving on to the digital workflow?
Cecilia del Castillo I sketch a lot, and I sketch on paper. I'm a very analog designer. I enjoy experimenting with different tools and letting myself be surprised. Sometimes I delay moving to the digital part for too long, and I’ve learned that’s not ideal either. Now I also try to do a kind of sketching with Béziers, testing things out without fear of crashing the computer. But at heart, my soul will always prefer a piece of paper and a brush.
Do you have words of wisdom for starting designers?
Cecilia del Castillo Never compare yourself to others. Own your story and respect your own path. Be humble, share knowledge. Keep learning, and always stay curious.
Thank you very much Cecilia !
– Interview by Burke Smithers
Register to the graphic & type conference in Paris ➼ Now25 conference
Learn more about TypeParis
➼ Type & graphic designers interviews
➼ Summer25 programme
➼ Reports
➼ Attendees feedback series
