How was TypeParis for you?
Our alumni are the perfect people to discuss this topic so we asked them some questions. We’ve published the results of our discussion with two TypeParis25 attendees Marina Sbrana and Mathis Payet. They’re happy to 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 Spring page? We do not yet have examples because the year 2027 will be different since we change places, we go from six to three weeks and we propose two levels: Foundation and Expert. Our attendees’ experiences are still fascinating. They offer valuable advice and you’ll likely find some common ground with them.
TypeParis Spring type course!
154 attendees from 41 different countries have already attended TypeParis since 2015, and it could be your turn. In 2027, it will be a totally reinvented 11th edition that will take place in Menorca, Spain, in April. Feel free to contact our alumni directly via their pages to ask about some specific details about their experiences.
Why did you decide to apply to TypeParis?
Marina Sbrana Typography has been a long-standing interest of mine, and during my master degree I really focused on it, but my knowledge and skills have always been cultivated only through my own curiosity and self-motivation. After a few years working as a visual designer and a couple of type design projects I felt the need to put a solid base, a structured foundation upon which I could continue to build my skills. I applied to the Type Paris programme because it represented the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap between my self-taught expertise and a more in-depth understanding of type design, meanwhile being super intensive to allow me not to have to end my work collaborations.
Mathis Payet As a graphic designer, I wanted to understand typefaces better. I had done a few calligraphy workshops on the side, but nothing too serious, and I never really felt like I was making much progress. I felt like I was missing something in my practice, and TypeParis seemed like a really interesting way to get into type design and start exploring it more seriously.
“TypeParis has been the best experience I have ever had and I can’t help but recommend it to everyone, both as a work experience and on a personal level.”
– Marina Sbrana
Building the right portfolio?
Marina Sbrana Since I already had a couple of type design projects (my master thesis and a client project) I used these as the main section of the portfolio. I was working mainly in branding, so I also integrated it with a custom logotype I made. I think custom typography is a perfect way to showcase your interest and skills without having the experience with a full typeface. I’ve also added some experimental projects, since I love to play with typography outside any client work, but just to express myself.
Mathis Payet I decided to focus my portfolio on branding projects I had worked on as a graphic designer. I didn’t have any complete typefaces to show, but I had a few experimental display typefaces that were still unfinished, as well as some letters and word sketches. I think the important thing was to show both finished, polished work through my branding projects, and a genuine interest in typography through my experiments, even if some of them were just rough sketches.
“I felt like I was discovering a whole new continent of design.”
– Mathis Payet
What did you learn?
Marina Sbrana During TypeParis I’ve learned that yes, it is possible to create a type family in 6 weeks! After this experience you will feel invincible, because if you’ve made it once, you can do it for any other project if you have a good team around you. The friendships I built here go way beyond what I expected, we were a perfect team, each working on our own project but helping each other through every struggle. I’ve learned that everything has a historical reason behind it, and that if you have any doubt you can always look back at what was done before, to better understand your problem and therefore how to solve it.
Mathis Payet I felt like I was discovering a whole new continent of design. Learning type design wasn’t really overwhelming for me, but it definitely required a lot of discipline, patience and effort. I think the biggest challenge was time. Since the programme isn’t a one-year degree, you really have to make the most of it. I tried to get as much feedback as I could from the instructors and guest critics and apply it every time I worked on something new. And beyond what you learn technically, the overall atmosphere is amazing. You’re constantly learning from the instructors, the guest critics, and the other attendees. There’s a lot of mutual support, and I really felt like I was in the right place with the right people.
“With different instructors taking turns, you have the chance to constantly shift your perspective and thus learn even more, and with the quest critics, this was expanded even further.”
– Marina Sbrana
What do you think of the new Foundation and Expert levels?
Marina Sbrana TypeParis has been the best experience I have ever had and I can’t help but recommend it to everyone, both as a work experience and on a personal level. I have no doubt that it will be an equally important experience for all future students, even if it will be slightly different from ours, with a new format, in a new city.
Mathis Payet I think TypeParis gives you the foundations, but also the confidence to keep practicing type design on your own. It really encourages you to keep exploring and learning even after the programme ends.
Tell us about the Now conference, Instructors, Guest critics?
Marina Sbrana It was truly constructive to be able to exchange views with various professionals, each with their own experience and opinions (which were often conflicting, but that’s part of the charm) and to understand their approach to the subject. With different instructors taking turns, you have the chance to constantly shift your perspective and thus learn even more, and with the guest critics, this was expanded even further. The Now conference was an excellent introduction to the experience, helping us to understand what we can achieve and leaving us ready to throw ourselves into our studies with clear goals in mind.
Mathis Payet The Now Conference was a really eye-opening experience. I discovered the work of so many talented people from all over the world. Both during the conference and throughout the programme, every speaker, instructor and guest critic brought their own perspective and way of approaching type design. But they all had this really well-trained eye for what works and what doesn’t. I think that’s one of the things that stays with you. During the programme, but also afterwards, you start seeing the world a little bit differently through the lens of type design.
“And beyond what you learn technically, the overall atmosphere is amazing. You’re constantly learning from the instructors, the guest critics, and the other attendees. There’s a lot of mutual support, and I really felt like I was in the right place with the right people.”
– Mathis Payet
What are you doing now?
Marina Sbrana At the moment, I’m continuing my collaboration with the type designer Antonio Pace, working on projects for international clients with far greater awareness and expertise. Most of my work still centres on brand identity, where I try to incorporate typographic expertise as much as possible. I hope to be able to release my own font, and in the meantime I’m continuing to work on personal projects.
Mathis Payet Since TypeParis25, I’ve published one display font with BrutalTypes, and I’m currently working with another foundry to publish Guimart, the typeface I designed during TypeParis. I’ll also be joining the Expert Class Type Design course led by Jeremy Tankard at the Plantin Institute of Typography over the next few months. My type design practice is still quite limited for now, since I’m primarily a brand designer, but I’d really like to develop it more over the next few years.
“Being surrounded, even outside of lessons, by people who are going through the same experiences as you is extremely helpful and a great way to broaden your horizons even further, as well as offering a wonderful mix of cultures.”
– Marina Sbrana
Your advice?
Marina Sbrana Try to make the most of every moment of this experience. It’ll be really demanding, but it’ll be worth it. I shared a flat with two other students and it was the best decision I could have made. Being surrounded, even outside of lessons, by people who are going through the same experiences as you is extremely helpful and a great way to broaden your horizons even further, as well as offering a wonderful mix of cultures.
Mathis Payet If you’re already reading this, it probably means you’re interested in applying, so I’d say: just give it a shot! And if you get in, be ready to work hard, work smart, and put a lot of time into it. But also enjoy the process. There’s something really rewarding about seeing how much your work can evolve through the programme!
“I think TypeParis gives you the foundations, but also the confidence to keep practicing type design on your own. It really encourages you to keep exploring and learning even after the programme ends.”
– Mathis Payet
Register to the graphic & type conference in Paris ➼ Now27 conference
Learn more about TypeParis
➼ Type & graphic designers interviews
➼ Spring27 type course in Menorca
➼ Reports
➼ Attendees feedback series
