Rewind: Jonathan Hoefler: Typography legend on type history, philosophy, and entrepreneurship

Rewind: Jonathan Hoefler: Typography legend on type history, philosophy, and entrepreneurship

Author: The Curiosity Department, sponsored by Wix Studio December 24, 2024 Duration: 1:02:57
Hi folks! We hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season, and have plenty of opportunities to relax and spend time with friends and family. This week we’re rewinding to one of our favorite episodes with Jonathan Hoefler, the legendary type designer. Enjoy the episode, and we’ll see you in the New Year! Find the full episode and bonus content on our Substack: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/rewind-jonathan-hoefler *** It’s still not too late for a last-minute gift for the creative people in your life. Why not give the gift of education and inspiration by with a year-long subscription to Design Better Premium? We’ve even made a 🎁 handy gift card that you can send virtually, or print out and mail, or gift in person. *** Chances are you have a few fonts on your computer designed by Jonathan Hoefler. Since 1991, Apple has included Hoefler Text on every Mac. Ideal Sans, Knockout, Archer, Verlag, and Sentinel—are a few more of Hoefler’s well known typefaces —each is steeped in history and timelessly beautiful. It’s no wonder that Jonathan was featured in the Netflix series Abstract, which explores design and creativity, as he is truly a typography legend. As part of our series on design history, we talk with Jonathan about his typographic influences, his philosophical views on the value of presentation and why he views entrepreneurship as an invitation, and some of the themes in his work like “Unfinished Business” and “Conservation and Preservation.” Bio Jonathan Hoefler (pronounced "HEFF-ler") is a typeface designer, typographer, writer, and inventor, and the creator of some of the world's most influential fonts such as Gotham, Knockout, Mercury, Sentinel, and Hoefler Text. He founded the distinguished type foundry Hoefler&Co in 1989, which he sold in 2021, after publishing more than eleven hundred original tyepfaces. He's currently enjoying a sabbatical, and writing about typography and visual culture on his website, JonathanHoefler.com.

Eli Woolery and Aarron Walter host Design Better, a podcast from The Curiosity Department, sponsored by Wix Studio, that lives in the rich space where design, business, and technology meet. Their conversations move beyond simple tips to explore the entire creative process with guests from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Each episode feels like a deep, practical discussion aimed at refining your skills, sparking new ideas, and mastering the nuanced art of working with others. You’ll hear from leaders and practitioners who share not just what they do, but how they think, tackling the real challenges and breakthroughs that define modern creative work. This isn't just for seasoned professionals; if you have any interest in how things are made and why they work, this podcast offers valuable perspective. It’s that consistent depth that earned praise from outlets like Vanity Fair, which noted the show's sharp and substantive focus. Tuning in provides a regular dose of inspiration and actionable insight, whether you're looking to elevate your craft or simply understand the forces shaping the products and experiences around us.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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