Take your typeface to the next level by getting constructive feedback from two seasoned professionals. This Alphacrit, focused on typeface design, features Jill Pichotta and Nina Stössinger (Jill Pichotta!! and Nina Stössinger!!). Four lucky participants will submit their work for Jill and Nina’s review. Nicole Dotin will moderate to ensure a smooth crit. Read on to learn more.
Jill Pichotta began working for Font Bureau as an apprentice with David Berlow in 1991, honing her skills on projects for Rolling Stone, Esquire, Condé Nast Traveller, The New York Times, Apple Computer, and other notable brands. She has managed the production of retail releases for independent designers since 1993, and has contributed several of her own typefaces to Font Bureau’s diverse library. Over the years, she has divided her time between various retail, custom, and OEM projects. In conjunction with its mid-2016 launch, Jill Pichotta took on the role of Principal Product Manager for Type Network, overseeing type development and quality for the company’s global alliance of foundry partners.
Nina Stössinger is a Senior Typeface Designer at Frere-Jones Type. Originally from Basel in Switzerland, she graduated in multi-media design from Burg Giebichenstein University of Art Halle/Germany, where she discovered her love for type. She went on to receive a CAS in Type Design from Zurich University of the Arts, and an MA in Type and Media from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Nina teaches type design at Yale University School of Art, serves on the Board of Directors of the Type Directors Club, and has spoken at numerous international conferences and events (this year she’ll be a keynote speaker at Typecon!). Her published type designs include Conductor (with Tobias Frere-Jones), Nordvest, and FF Ernestine.
What to expect: Four people will present their in-progress typeface, each receiving approximately 10 minutes of feedback. The entire session will last about an hour. Participants will have the benefit of sitting in on the other critiques as well. To keep it focused, we suggest presenting either a single weight of a typeface or come prepared with a specific question about a multi-weight typeface. Specimens need to be ready about a week before the session so plan ahead!
When & where: Friday, May 18 at 2 pm Eastern (UTC -4) via video conferencing.
Who can participate: This session is open to everyone, of any skill level, and the four spots will be drawn lottery style. Preference will be given to underrepresented groups and people who haven’t participated before. Underrepresented groups include, but are not limited to: women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
How to apply: Fill out this form https://goo.gl/forms/kvUTTfX3wG6fGkix1
It asks for some very basic information, like your name and email address. Nothing you can’t handle.
Applications due by: May 6, 2018
Questions: Still have questions? Drop us a line at crit@alphabettes.org.