How was TypeParis for you?
Following last year feedbacks, we asked to three TypeParis16 attendees, Andreas Nymark, Jocelyn Anderson and Kenneth Ormandy to share their stories with you! TypeParis17 is the third edition of the type design programme launched in 2015. We are in constant contact with all the attendees from previous year. We thought that it would be interesting to ask some of them a few questions about their experience, past and future. Feel free to contact them directly via their People page, to ask about some specific deatils of their 5 weeks in Paris.
Why you decided to apply to TypeParis?
Andreas Nymark: Type design has been an interest for a long time. The last couple of years I’ve made a few attempts to design my own typeface, mostly using books and online resources. Working full-time, a five week course sounded like a perfect opportunity to take things to the next step and to see if this would be something I would enjoy at a greater scale. I followed the course from a distance during the first year to see the outcome, and immedietly decided to apply for the following year.
Jocelyn Anderson: I first heard of the TypeParis program via Twitter, where I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. I had heard of similar programs in Berlin, New York, and San Francisco, but the destination of Paris and duration of the program had me hooked. At the time I was feeling a little stuck in my creative career and was looking to be pushed to the next level. TypeParis did just that.
Kenneth Ormandy: During the first edition of TypeParis, I was designing type for my undergraduate design degree in Vancouver, so I followed along online. (Dave Coleman’s TypeParis project Buffon also went on be released with Lost Type around the same time where I started working with them even more regularly.)
Afterwards, I knew I still really needed to improve my letterform drawing, and I wanted an excuse to work only on type design for an dedicated period of time. TypeParis 2016 provided the perfect opportunity.
“You as the designer should know the rules, should listen to feedback from other but remember that you are the designer.”
– Andreas Nymark
What do you have learned?
AN: TypeParis gave me a lot of knowledge. The entire process, starting from calligraphy, a newfound love to tracing paper, working on the details, going from paper to computer, improving my bezier curves amongst others. But also the realisation that type design is very subjective. You as the designer should know the rules, should listen to feedback from other but remember that you are the designer. A lot of the skills has been useful in my everyday work life. An intense experience and I would happily do it again.
AJ: From day one the TypeParis program was a rush. Full days of drawing and redrawing letters, learning about forms and history from incredible teachers. The guest critics provided a different kind of feedback and perspective that only enhanced our work. Having fellow students from different countries and design backgrounds was also a great resource. All of this happening in the beautiful city of Paris made the experience unforgettable.
“I am finally doing work I really love and using the skills I learned at TypeParis to inform my design work.”
– Jocelyn Anderson
KO: We had the opportunity to visit some incredible archives during the course; I still find myself regularly returning to photo documentation our trips. Just one example was the Bibliothèque Mazarine, and I wrote more about our trip there on my site.
The notebook I kept during the course filled with wisdom from our core and guest instructors has become one of my most referenced type design resources—although I certainly miss being able to go directly to Jean François Porchez, Mathieu Réguer, and everyone at TypeParis for critiques!
What are you doing now?
AN: I continue to freelance as a UX/UI/graphic designer and I’ve been struggling to find enough time for type design. During the fall I’ve regulary meet with swedish type designer Stefan Hattenbach, discussing type and getting some feedback from him on my progress with Svedala, the typeface I started during TypeParis. I’m excited for the next couple of months, it looks like I’ll be working more on Svedala.
JA: Shortly after coming home from Paris, I began working for a small branding and design agency. I am certain that the work I did at TypeParis helped me get the job. I am finally doing work I really love and using the skills I learned at TypeParis to inform my design work. I am eager to pick up type design again in the future and have dreams of releasing my first typeface. TypeParis totally changed my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
“The notebook I kept during the course filled with wisdom from our core and guest instructors has become one of my most referenced type design resources.”
– Kenneth Ormandy
KO: Since TypeParis, I’ve been working as an independent designer and front-end web developer on type-related projects. I continue to work with type designers on type specimen websites like regina-black.losttype.com,, organise the Type Brigade meetup in Vancouver—including an event with the amazing Roxane Gataud who I met through TypeParis—and I’ve been working on some custom display type projects as well.
Learn more about TypeParis courses and conferences!
➼ Reports
➼ Type & graphic designers interviews
➼ Attendees feedback series
Apply to TypeParis Summer course!
The deadline for applications is 14 March, every year.
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