Reprint: Irreverent type design with James Edmondson.
Ohno Type Company is an industry rebel. Equal parts punk and precision, the studio is a direct reflection of founder James' Edmondson love of expression and eccentricity. From globular California hippie text (Chee) to deceptively complex takes on classic geometric forms (Polymath), James and his team chart their own course through the wilds of type design. In this interview from 2021, James discusses his story, process, and mindset with Monotype's Charles Nix, and shares his thoughts on building a stable, rewarding creative career. James has a new book publishing this fall, The Ohno Book: A Serious Guide to Irreverent Type Design. Preorder today at Bookshop.org. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast.
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58:43
Designing beyond trends with Alex Swatridge of DutchScot.
Alex Swatridge is the kind of creative you wish you could just sit down and brainstorm with. In this episode, host Graham Sturt talks to Alex about co-founding DutchScot, her London-based design agency that’s making waves with bold, award-winning work. Preferring to gain inspiration from physical books and museum visits instead of scrolling, Alex shares her approach to design and how she stays true to her ideas while avoiding trends. Plus, hear Alex’s thoughts on AI in design and how DutchScot keeps their work collaborative and human-centered. Whether you're a designer or just curious about the creative process, this episode is full of insights that'll leave you inspired to step away from your screen and find meaning in the physical world. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast Check out DutchScot's work at dutch.scot
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46:56
Bryan Edmondson on crafting simplicity.
Get ready for an honest chat with Bryan Edmondson, the visionary force behind London-based SEA Design. In this episode, Bryan shares his thoughtful approach to design and studio culture and explains why developing a simple design isn’t as simple as it looks. From focusing on identities that tell a story to mentoring young creatives, Bryan shares wisdom from nearly 30 years of running an award-winning studio. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast Check out Bryan’s work at seadesign.com
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39:04
Reprint: Waves of summer inspiration.
We're ready for summer here at Creative Characters, so we decided to dig into the archives and explore the seasonal rhythms that influence art and life. From the ephemeral art of beach calligraphy by South Africa’s Andrew van der Merwe, to photographer Tyler Haughey’s striking portraits of off-season beach towns, to Justin Burns’ reflections on the magic of the British seaside, this episode explores how the summer season shapes creativity, placemaking, and memory. Tune in and get ready for summer with this collection of stories that dive deep into the relationship between art and the ever-changing shoreline. You can find blog posts for this and all our past episodes at monotype.com/podcast Revisit the full episodes below: Andrew van der Merwe: Ephemeral calligraphy from the beaches of South Africa. Searching for signs of the British seaside with Justin Burns. Tyler Haughey: Neon and nostalgia down on the unseen Jersey Shore.
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29:44
Sara Soskolne: A life shaped by letters.
From studying 19th-century sans serifs to expanding Gotham for the Obama Foundation, Sara Soskolne’s career has helped define how the world reads today. In this episode, Doug Wilson sits down with his longtime friend and brilliant type designer, Sara Soskolne, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about growing up curious, falling into typography, and Sara’s experiences of coming into her own in a male-dominated field. It’s an episode filled with humor, insights, and a touch of typographic magic. Check out Sara’s work for the Obama Foundation here: obama.org/stories/building-on-the-past-looking-ahead Take a deep dive into brand refresh for the Obama Foundation on Manual’s website: https://manualcreative.com/work/obama-foundation
We live in a world awash in typography - whether we realize it or not. From the road signs that lead us home to the phones in our pockets, typography is front and center in nearly every waking moment of our day. Come meet the people and hear the stories behind the letters that shape our world.
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