Typography is the ‘look and feel’ of the written word. Typeface designers create and engineer fonts for a customer’s words. Typographers use the fonts to create ‘typography’.

The letter shapes of typefaces provide a voice and tonality that is appropriate to the message, medium, brand, or audience.

At Monotype we create new typefaces for our font library and for our customers seeking a custom and unique brand font. On paper, that sounds quite simple, but in reality, the world of typography and typeface design is expansive and contains many roles.

As a typeface designer, you must think of a new idea that's an unseen expression of the alphabet to meet your customer's expectations and beyond. The font must evoke a distinct tone and connect to the creative brief and customer ambitions.

Our creatives also build global typographic systems for all written languages; we advise agencies; curate trends reports; speak at events; and record podcasts.

At Monotype, the studio team is composed of:

• Project managers
• Typeface designers
• Creative directors
• Font engineers
• Quality assurance teams

Creating the best typography is a collaborative team exercise! Below are some more examples of the roles that exist in typography, from junior to senior level:

• Font Project Manager
• Font Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Junior, Mid-level and Senior Typeface Designers
• Creative Type Directors
• Executive Creative Director

Over the years we have created fonts seen by millions of people daily – on projects with food and beverage brands like M&M’s, Burger King, and Johnnie Walker; with media brands like BBC One, ITV, Channel 4, The Champions League, and Duolingo; and auto companies like Renault and Toyota. In some ways it’s a huge responsibility to create the clothes for the words our culture reads, but it’s also an opportunity to make something new or different – to create the thing that hasn’t been made before. That is what we did with Evri.

Evri
Evri is a parcel delivery service in the UK. They asked us to make a logo font that could generate 4,000 unique logos for their delivery trucks. Monotype created a variable logo font that can generate 194,000 unique logotypes. Pushing into the unknown, the idea that something cannot be done is what makes this job enduringly exciting.

See the full case study here

M&Ms
This year, the iconic brand got a modern makeover, including a custom typeface design. Other changes include a fresh look and updated personalities for the famous M&M’S characters; a more inclusive and welcoming tone of voice; and a new, attention-grabbing typeface called All Together.

See the full case study here

You won't be surprised to hear that drawing skills and a strong attention to detail are essential in typography.

Other qualities that make for a great typographer include:

• A passion for letter shapes and craft

• A keen interest in brand creativity and fonts

• A strong understanding of how type styles create hierarchy

• Ability to use type with confidence

• Good personal communication skills

Here are some tasks you might expect as part of your day-to-day if you work in typography:

Typeface design and development
Designing and drawing typefaces, as well as expanding existing typefaces to support additional languages, is a fundamental aspect of typography. This also includes the designing and refining of logotype ideas.

Branding and recommendations
Recommending typefaces for branding projects is crucial in creating a strong visual identity. This process involves analysing typographic brand use and advising on solutions that best fit the brand's needs.

Client support and presentations
Supporting agencies and brands with technical queries is essential for effective collaboration. This often involves writing, designing, and delivering presentations to customers, ensuring clear communication and understanding of design choices.

Other considerations
When designing type, the letterforms have to function in the necessary physical and digital contexts, be scalable for reading at all sizes and might require special features.

It will probably need to work in multiple weights and styles and represent a wide range of languages. Accessibility for visually challenged readers may also be a component of the brief and design.

Anywhere from £30K to £200K, depending on level of experience, responsibilities, engagements and more.

When it comes to creative companies that specialise in typography and type design, some key players are:

• Monotype
• Type Network
• The Type Founders
• Typotheque
• Indian Type Foundry
• Morisawa
• Sandoll

Meeting a deadline
Like in all areas of creativity, typeface designers have deadlines. Font development takes time, but that time can run out quickly. Both our library and custom font projects have a dedicated project manager who works with the designers and engineers to map out a clear timeline for delivery.

Unavoidable time pressure
Working hours are generally regular, but mapping out project timelines is not an exact science. It is common to feel some pressure to deliver high-quality design work in a very short timeframe.

Collaboration and introspection
The design process in our studio is both collaborative and conversational, but the work of typemaking can also be isolating at times. The process is often a solo activity, which leaves a lot of time for introspection and internal debate before sharing with other team members.

Global collaborations
There are many departments at Monotype. It is a great culture that offers the opportunity to discover new tasks and problems to solve across the organisation and to work with colleagues around the world, online or in person.

At the entry-level, a minimum requirement is to have created one typeface design that fully explores a range of weights and styles. This alone can be enough to secure your first role.

When looking at that design, we would be asking about the design’s rationale and inspiration, reviewing the quality of the curves and outlines of the letters, and checking the spacing and kerning of words. If this font is supported with a strong portfolio of typography or logotype work, even better!

Here are our other tips for getting into typography:

Immerse yourself
Immerse yourself in letter shapes and calligraphy by exploring different styles and practicing with various tools. This hands-on experience will help you develop a unique style.

Make typography a daily habit
Use type daily. Draw type daily. With consistent practice, you’ll eventually find yourself mastering this artform.

Engage with the creative community
Attend events and meet people in the industry. Listen to their stories and their paths into a world of letters, gaining inspiration and insights from their experiences.

Build your network
Whenever you meet someone, trade contact information or business cards. Never leave an event without making a new connection—it could lead to valuable opportunities down the line.

Like the sound of becoming a typographer or type designer? Below are some essential resources, platforms and tools to help get your foot in the door.

TDC Scholarships: The Type Directors Club
The Type Directors Club offers various scholarships to support emerging talent in typography and design. These scholarships are aimed at helping students pursue their education in the field, fostering a new generation of creative professionals. One of these is the Beatrice Warde Scholarship, offering financial support to students dedicated to the study and practice of type design.

Gerard Unger Scholarship
This scholarship, provided by Type Together, aims to support talented individuals pursuing type design education. Named after the renowned type designer Gerard Unger, it encourages students to develop their skills in this vital area of creativity.

Type Electives Scholarships
Type Electives offers scholarships for students interested in type design and related disciplines.

Malee Scholarship
US based but open to international applications, The Malee Scholarship is dedicated to supporting students from diverse backgrounds pursuing careers in design and typography. It aims to encourage underrepresented voices in the creative community.

TypeThursday
A vibrant community where type enthusiasts gather to share their love for typography, featuring events and discussions that celebrate the art of type design.

ATypI
The Association Typographique Internationale is dedicated to the advancement of typography worldwide, hosting conferences and providing resources for typographers and designers.

TypoCircle
A platform for typographers in London, TypoCircle organizes events and talks, fostering a community that shares knowledge and inspiration about typography.

ISTD
The International Society of Typographic Designers promotes excellence in typographic design and offers various resources and opportunities for education and professional development.

Type Directors Club
A prestigious organisation celebrating the craft of typography and design, the Type Directors Club offers awards, scholarships, and events to support and recognize typographic excellence.

Letter Exchange
A unique community for those passionate about lettering and type design, Letter Exchange facilitates discussions, events, and networking opportunities for creatives in the field.

St Brides Printing Library
A treasure trove of printing and typography resources, the St Brides Printing Library offers access to a wealth of knowledge on the history and practice of printing and design.

Many thanks to Charles Nix and Phil Garnham and Bill Connolly for generously sharing their insights and recommendations.