How was TypeParis for you?
Who is better to talk about it than our alumni? So we asked them some questions. We published the results of our discussion with three TypeParis23 attendees, Pavithra Dikshit, Ludivine Fossey and Koko Morrill share their stories with you!
You want to apply but are not sure yet? You are wondering what conditions must be met, beyond the official description proposed on the Summer page? You can conclude that the attendees final typefaces designed at the end of the six weeks, are of such a high level that it seems impossible to achieve in such a short period of time? In fact not. The reality is quite different: the participants come from a variety of backgrounds, with or without experience in typeface design. So, whatever your level, you will learn a lot.
TypeParis Summer course!
124 students from 39 different countries have already attended to TypeParis, and it could be your turn. This year TypeParis25 marks the 10-year anniversary of the type design programme launched in 2015. Feel free to contact our alumni directly via their People page, to ask about some specific details about their 6 weeks in Paris.
Why you decided to apply to TypeParis?
Pavithra Dikshit I’ve always had an interest in typography, as I majored in it during college. And in the early days of my career, I considered becoming a type designer and even applied to several type studios and for Type@Cooper, but it was all very short-lived. Now, I work in branding, and a significant part of my job involves finding typefaces for clients, as well as working with type designers to craft custom wordmarks and typefaces for projects. A few years ago, I chatted with Shreya Arora (TypeParis2019 Alumni) and learned about TypeParis through her. So, when I took a sabbatical from work in 2023, I applied – and truly, it was the best summer ever!
Ludivine Fossey I discovered the TypeParis program through a collaborative initiative offered in partnership with the school where I completed my Master’s degree (Intuit.lab Paris), as well as through some alumni on social media. Over the years, I’ve developed a strong interest in typography, and when I heard about this six-week program, I seized the opportunity to learn at my own pace with high-quality mentors. The advantage of this program is that, regardless of your initial skill level in typography, the results after six weeks are undeniably impressive. Participating in TypeParis has allowed me to add a valuable skill to my toolkit as an Art Director.
Koko Morrill I had heard about TypeParis from my professor in University, Karen Cheng. She had recommended the program to me when I was a student, but I didn’t have the means to go at the time. A few years out of school, I was doing some contract work for a Japanese-French chocolate brand in NYC. The founder told me that she was either a lawyer or studying to be one, I can’t quite remember, but she and her husband decided to spend 6 months in Paris, during which she went to pastry school. She said they were the brokest but the happiest they’d ever been. At the time, I was thinking about applying to TypeParis, but I hadn’t fully made up my mind. But she was the final push I needed to apply. That conversation happened the day before the application deadline.
“I’ve always wanted to know what it takes to make a whole typeface. So, curiosity, mainly!”
– Pavithra Dikshit
Building the right portfolio?
Pavithra Dikshit As I work in branding, I’ve done a lot of wordmarks, logotype design, etc., as part of my job, so that part of showing my work was much easier. I’ve also explored some lettering across various projects – but I’d never designed a typeface. However, since it was mentioned that I wasn’t expected to know, I wasn’t too worried. I had sent my portfolio earlier for review, and the feedback was pretty positive, so I had my fingers crossed that it would work out, as I really wanted to go back to being a student after working for a decade. It was pretty cool to have so many different ages in the classroom!
Ludivine Fossey Although I was trained in Art Direction with a focus on branding, building my portfolio was not particularly challenging. Prior to the program, I had created a few editorial projects and personal lettering works, but what helped me the most was participating in the 36 Days of Type challenge (launched by the Spanish studio Treintayseis on Instagram). This experience allowed me to refine my skills with Bézier curves, proportions, and, most importantly, my creativity. The surprise was delightful when the confirmation email arrived – it marked the beginning of a beautiful journey with typography.
Koko Morrill I had a pretty type-focused branding portfolio already. I like to do custom word marks for branding projects or custom lettering for some projects. I was able to put together a type-specific portfolio by using existing pieces of my pre-existing one that I was using for job hunting.
Portfolio: “To be completely honest, while I was proud of my portfolio, I didn’t expect to be selected, since I hadn’t designed any typefaces at the time (and I struggled with a touch of impostor syndrome).”
– Ludivine Fossey
What do you have learned?
Pavithra Dikshit The first being that my love for type and letterforms is still my favorite part of anything in design. The second is that knowing typography does not imply one knows type design. Each of the instructors and guest critics brought varied perspectives and thinking styles, which really helped elevate and push the work. I’m incredibly grateful to have met some of the most talented people in type design, and to be taught by them was overall very humbling. And of course, all the research material, the trips to various libraries, and seeing all these extremely rare type specimens and books! My heart was so full! I absolutely loved my classmates – they were generous, extremely talented, and added to the character of the whole classroom. We became a family of one in six weeks, and I’m so grateful to have so many friends from across the world. I had the best time – learned a lot about type, ate a lot of pain au chocolat, walked a lot around Paris, and art everywhere was the cherry on top. Highly, highly recommend TypeParis if you can make it.
Ludivine Fossey This program taught me an incredible amount, and if I had the chance, I would do it all over again without hesitation. I started with very little knowledge of the subject, but after six weeks of intense work, curiosity, and ambition, I emerged with greater confidence and a broader perspective. I learned to appreciate the intricacies of working with letters – every detail matters. While many rules must be followed, passion is always the guiding principle.
Koko Morrill In practical terms, I learned the nuts and bolts of designing a typeface. There were a lot of practical knowledge gaps that kept me from calling myself a type designer, and TypeParis filled those in, not just in theory but in practice. It also gave me the confidence to lean on type as an asset and a strength in my design career. Another thing I gained from TypeParis: an affirmation that I love designing type. On some level, I’ve known since I took Karen Cheng’s class. But I had never been an environment so intensively devoted to type and I found so much joy and fulfillment in it that I didn’t expect to feel so potently.
“There were a lot of practical knowledge gaps that kept me from calling myself a type designer, and TypeParis filled those in, not just in theory but in practice.”
– Koko Morrill
Tell us about the Now conference and Guest critics?
Ludivine Fossey I will always cherish the collective kindness, where learning from mistakes was encouraged without judgment. Another highlight was the cultural outings to various locations across France, where we discovered rare books, breathtaking exhibitions, and so much more. Jean-François Porchez shared his passion and love for typography through these experiences. This journey also had the warmth of a summer camp with friends – picnics, birthdays, garden parties, and countless smiles. Thanks to the TypeParis program, I participated in two consecutive editions of the Now conference (2023 and 2024), both of which were insightful and impeccably organized. The quality of the speakers reflected the high standards of the event. Many studios, agencies, and freelancers from around the world served as inspiring references and role models for all of us. Regarding the Type Critics who generously guided us, I cannot praise them enough. These renowned experts provided invaluable advice and shared their expertise with a spirit of generosity. Their contributions instilled a sense of legitimacy and motivated us to push our limits.
Pavithra Dikshit The Now conference was super interesting. I’d never really attended a design conference outside of India until then, so it was pretty cool that it happened on the first day of the program. The speakers were fascinating, covering a huge range of topics from graphic design to branding to regional type designers, etc. It was also a more informal way to get to know my classmates and helped break the ice. All the guest critics at TypeParis 2023 were fantastic. It was great to see the variety of career options for people wanting to pursue type design as a specialty. Many of them balanced serious and regular work with fun interventions. They showed how to bring play into everyday work, which I highly embrace and absolutely loved. Also, apart from the regular instructors, many of the critics helped question your type, pushed you to think differently about your work, and really helped build the overall character of your work. It’s very challenging, but equally rewarding, as one learns to embrace critique and builds an appreciation for constructive feedback.
Koko Morrill The Now conference was a good lead-in, getting to meet classmates and listening to speakers talk about the topic we were about to spend 6 weeks entrenched in. But to be completely honest, I was so jet lagged I didn’t fully absorb all of it. Many of the guest critics I did find very helpful. Sometimes an outside perspective is exactly what’s needed to step back and see things differently. Although other times, it can also lead you astray. When it comes to guest critics, I think you need to come in with a clear understanding of what you want the project to be so you can mindfully take in the information and decide for yourself whether or not the feedback makes sense for what you are trying to accomplish. The lectures by the guest critics also varies in how much they resonated with me, but as a whole I found them very valuable, because it was an opportunity to see and understand what it might actually look like to become a type designer in practical terms, allowing us to gauge whether that may be something we want to pursue.
“I’m a Design Director, and a lot of my work, as mentioned previously, involves working with type designers. I’m incredibly grateful that I can now have clearer conversations about what I’m asking for. Also, now that I know the possibilities, I understand there are some rules to break every once in a while.”
– Pavithra Dikshit
What are you doing now?
Pavithra Dikshit I was on a sabbatical from Landor in Mumbai when I came to TypeParis. Now, I still work at Landor, but in London. When I left the program last year, I didn’t know how much I would see my classmates again. But we have a WhatsApp and Instagram group where people message, and we try to keep in touch! It’s amazing to know how many of my classmates I’ve met since the course. I went to India, so I met my classmate Stella while I was there. I also attended the Now conference with Svenja in June ‘24 and met my classmates Lulu, Flavie, and all the instructors from the program, which was amazing! Then, we also had a mini-TypeParis 23 reunion in London in mid-November ‘24, where Koko came from NYC, Dustin from Seattle, and Charlotte from Berlin, as Clement, Svenja, and I are already in London. This was my best weekend of the year – it was deeply emotional but also exhilarating! It felt like so long, but also like no time had actually passed.
Ludivine Fossey Since completing the program, I graduated as valedictorian, partly thanks to a typographic project I developed during my second year of my Master’s degree, the year following TypeParis. I also had the honor of presenting on stage at an event organized by the ADC (Association Design Conseil) in Paris, thanks to my journey. I currently work as an Art Director specializing in branding in Paris, with a particular focus on typography. In my free time, I create and share typographic projects on social media. I am currently working on two typefaces and several lettering projects. My ambition is to expand my work beyond borders and gain international experience. Finally, since 2023, I’ve stayed in touch with my TypeParis peers—we visit each other, stay connected, and share our adventures.
Koko Morrill I now work at a branding agency. My primary use for type design is making word marks, which I make custom for most projects. It’s more difficult to find opportunities to design full typefaces, although I would like to find more opportunities to incorporate it into my practice. I keep in touch with a lot of my class! I’ve traveled with some and also worked on some collaborative pieces with some as well.
“There were a lot of practical knowledge gaps that kept me from calling myself a type designer, and TypeParis filled those in, not just in theory but in practice.”
– Koko Morrill
Your advice?
Pavithra Dikshit If you’re looking for a sign on whether you should attend TypeParis, take this as your sign – go do it!
Ludivine Fossey For future TypeParis participants: don’t stress – everything will go wonderfully. Paris is a beautiful city, and TypeParis will introduce you to magical places for creatives like you. Here are some of my recommendations:
• The Marais district is undoubtedly one of my favorite areas in Paris.
• For books, visit bookstores such as La Librairie Sans Titre, Artazar, Le Cahier Central, ofr.Paris, or VOLUME.
• For lunch or a stroll, the 5th arrondissement, especially the Latin Quarter, is ideal. “TypeParisMake things you love.”
Koko Morrill I don’t really have advice except to go for it if you’re thinking about it. Once you’re there, be a sponge. Learn, draw, grow, laugh, cry, soak it in. One thing I would say is this: If you get to go, TypeParis is one of those highs in life. It’s the most intense period of growth that many of us have ever experienced. You learn new skills in a new place in a different culture among people you’ve just met. It’s intensely beautiful and fulfilling. But what comes with an intense high is the crash afterward. Waking up the day after it's over feels truly awful. It’s real, actual heartbreak. This isn’t advice as much as it is a warning, but it’s not meant to be a deterrent. It just speaks for how beautiful TypeParis is that losing it feels like an excruciating breakup.
“Paris is a beautiful city, and TypeParis will introduce you to magical places for creatives like you.”
– Ludivine Fossey
