TypeCon2017: Counter! was filled with female faces this year, and I thought that Alphabettes readers would be glad to see some of them.
Faces of 16 of the 35 female presenters at TypeCon2017: Counter! – (top left to bottom right)
Andrea Leksen, Petra Dočekalová, Catherine Leigh Schmidt, Linh O’Briant, Aoife Mooney and Jillian Coorey, Ming Wei, Geri McCormick, Reneé Seward, Elizabeth Carey Smith, Ana Monroe, Frances MacLeod, Amelia Hugill-Fontanel, Rachel Elnar, Charlotte Yue Qin, and Ina Saltz.
In our most accurate count, 48.6% of our presenters were female this year – this includes workshop leaders and speakers in the main program and education forum. You can read more about our 2017 speakers and programming on our website.
Our speakers are chosen via a blind selection process – meaning that the speaker’s name, gender, company, product name, or any other identifying information is removed from their proposal before it is read and ranked by a panel of reviewers. We’ve taken this approach in an attempt to reduce bias and to level the playing field for everyone submitting.
We do make an exception when it comes to the keynote speaker, whom we personally invite. In our eyes, lettering artist Martina Flor was an ideal choice. She shared excerpts of her amazing portfolio of work, and gave us an in-depth look at the her compelling new how-to book, “The Golden Secrets of Lettering”.
Keynote speaker Martina Flor shares the process of making her book, “The Golden Secrets of Lettering”.
Every year at TypeCon, SoTA (The Society of Typographic Aficionados) recognizes a an outstanding member of the type community for their creative achievements. This year, Paula Scher was lauded for her long career of innovative type-centric design work.
Roger Black introduces the work of Paula Scher, who remotely accepted the 2017 SoTA Typography award.
Alphabette Victoria Rushton was commissioned to design this year’s SoTA Catalyst Award certificate, and she sure delivered! Her beautifully-lettered chocolate box was presented to this year’s honoree, Ramakrishna Saiteja.
This isn’t her face, but Victoria Rushton designed this amazing award, held by 2017 honoree Ramakrishna Saiteja.
Special TypeCon events helped bring history to life – A special screening of filmmaker Briar Levit’s new documentary, “Graphic Means: A History of Graphic Design Production”, and a book signing by Carolyn Porter, author of “Marcel’s Letters”.
Filmmaker Briar Levit alongside Carol Wahler, Executive Director of TDC. Carolyn Porter’s book signing in the marketplace.
The infamous TypeCrit judges panel included a new face this year. Jill Pichotta of Type Network stepped in to give expert feedback on projects presented by budding designers.
Jill Pichotta reviews work alongside John Downer and Akira Kobiyashi.
I was honored to join the SoTA board this year, and to be involved with the generous and talented team that makes TypeCon possible. Since we’re focusing on females in this post, I want to shine a spotlight on some of my teammates: Mary Catherine Pflug, an amazing leader who coordinates sponsorships, our venues, and our volunteers. Sharon Oiga, who expertly organizes the invaluable Education Forum, Theresa Dela Cruz, the head of TypeCon communications and social media, and our audiovisual director, JP Porter, who delivers a seamless and beautiful production year after year.
JP Porter (left), TypeCon’s incredible audio visual director. SoTA board members, (left to right) Xerxes Irani, Delve Withrington, Erin McLaughlin, Grant Hutchinson, Sharon Oiga, Theresa Dela Cruz, Neil Summerour, and Mary Catherine Pflug, giving closing remarks.
A big thank you to Peter Bella for the great photographs, by the way!