Typography in all its forms

La typo dans tous ses états (Typography in all its forms). Collective exhibition of typographers, graphic designers and photographers, in partnership with Imprimerie nationale’s “Atelier du Livre d’art et de l’Estampe” and Graphê magazine.

With Albert Boton, Michel Bouvet, Eric Brocherie, Kook Ewo, Gonzalo Garcia Barcha, Franck Jalleau, Clotilde Olyff, Guillaume J. Plisson, Jean François Porchez (ZeCraft), Julien Priez.

The typo in all its forms
Exhibition from January 31 to March 16, 2012
Monday to Friday from 10:00—18:00
Gobelins, l’école de l’image
73, boulevard Saint-Marcel
75013 Paris (Métro Les Gobelins)
Opening Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 19:00
Please reply before January 27, 2012 on gobelins.fr/expotypo

Best wishes 2012

At Typofonderie, 2012 will be a year of great changes. Last months have been quite busy for us, in the forthcoming weeks, a entirely new website will be launched along good surprises. This new Typofonderie ecommerce platform will reflect a new era for us, as now Typofonderie is now split into two companies: ZeCraft dedicated to bespoke typefaces, lettering, and type consulting. Typofonderie is now strictly dedicated to the publication and distribution of quality typefaces. New typefaces from external designers will be announced during the year. A full new identity will be unveil with these activities, but already we use it today for the new year 2012 card.
Best wishes for a prosperous 2012 to you all!

Jean François Porchez.

Type lecture at ECV Paris

The École de communication visuelle (ECV) received Jean François Porchez for a lecture about his typographic work: Typographic mysteries elucidated. This conference was well attended by a bunch of students. Among various subjects from type history, licenses and good practises, various Typofonderie, from Henderson to the Retiro, he presented the recent project for Yves Saint Laurent Beauté.

Retiro: Letter.2 winning typeface 2011

After winning several type awards during the past months, Retiro was just selected as one of 53 entries out of 561 submissions based on their design excellence during letter.2 competition organized by ATypI in 2011. The jury included Peter Biľak (The Netherlands), Rubén Fontana (Argentina), John Hudson (Canada), Akira Kobayashi (Japan), Lucie Lacava (Canada), Gerry Leonidas (United Kingdom), Dr Fiona Ross (United Kingdom).

Retiro awards 2010-11
—Letter.2 prize 2011, among the 53 entries out of 561 submissions based on their design excellence.
—Creative Review Type Annual Custom typeface Retiro for Madriz magazine: Best in Book 2011.
—Designpreis 2011 Nominee Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany 2011: Custom typeface Retiro Nominee for 2011.
—Club des directeurs artistiques: 41e Palmarés Prix 2009.
—Tdc2 2010 Certificate of Type design Excellence for the custom typeface Retiro.

Titans of Typography profile: Jean François Porchez

WebInk blog recently featured The Man Behind Paris’s Most Public Typefaces. Note that they “maintained its European spellings, which we find as charming and elegant as we do his type design.” The interview was conducted in September 2011. Read more on WebInk blog.

→ Titans of Typography profile: Jean François Porchez
→ Typofonderie at WebInk

Type design conference in Blois

The Estacom organizes a series of conferences on trades related to communication during the year 2011-12. Jean François Porchez is invited October 18, 2011 and will share his experience as typeface designer.

Type design. 18 October 2011, 15h-17h.

ESTACOM
Campus de la CCI
6 rue Anne de Bretagne
41034 Blois Cedex
information: 02 54 57 25 08

Organized in collaboration with the CCI of Loir-et-Cher and of celle du Cher.
Conference open to all and free.

Pascal Béjean, Hasselblad 503, Typofonderie

In August 2011, Pascal Béjean, graphic designer by profession, but a photographer during his spare time, came to visited us. A gray day, which will give a series of photos in chiaroscuro, appreciated by the team. With his photo reports, Pascal’s desire is to built a resource about the designers of today, seen of their studios. He wants to see the reality behind signatures. “Emigre’s 43rd issue title says it all: Designers are People Too (1997). Behind design, a poster, or cookies packaging, there are human beings!” he says. Pascal Béjean gives a lot to the community through his sublime series of photos. What was his thoughts, following his visit of Typofonderie?: “It’s smaller than I actually thought, I fantasized a different place and still do not know if Jean Francois is dead serious or deadpan?”

He use an Hasselblad 503, with Ilford delta 3200 and Kodak 800 films. The previous photo report was with Étienne Robial, the next Thomas Petitjean.

^{View of the studio: Marc Rouault back-view working on Anisette Pro, near the windows, a Lambretta SX 175.}

^{Jean François working on a Mencken Text Italic Black.}

^{Wall next to Jean François’s desk.}

^{Framed Angie artwork (before digital), with Morisawa letter announcing the award, 1989.}

^{Collection of envelopes, the first by John Downer well know for his hand-painted typography.}

→ Pascal Béjean, photographie.
→ Photo report at Typofonderie: 2011, August 12nd. Typofonderie, with Véronique Porchez, Octavio Pardo Virto, Marc Rouault, and Mathieu Réguer (spiritually).

Abigail Borg new brand

A few months ago, we were invited by the British designer Abigail Borg to design a new brand for its activities. Working for and with designers is always a great experience and Abigail Borg is not only a talented designer, but great to work with her. She had in mind AW Conqueror Didot as starting point. The swashes and contrast was appealing and fit quite well her style. The main problem was that AW Conqueror was available only in Light. For the first proposal, Jean François Porchez thought that we can go into something more unique, who fit better the Abigail Borg brand, not only designing a bolder version. It is rare to find two g’s in a name, so one idea was to create two different g, but it was probably a concept that went too far, and we end up with just a different g ears, keeping one that look at right for the end of the logotype. Note that the original AW Conqueror Didot g isn’t at all like the Abigail Borg g… who are uniques.

^{Abigail Borg set in AW Conqueror Didot.}

^{The two different g refused proposal. Abigail Borg logotype in its three sizes versions at Dribbble.}

^{Final version.}

In addition, because of the potential needs for a shorter version, a connected monogram AB was designed. So, no more B swash on Abigail Borg logotype, only the A was designed with a a longer swash, to create a strong identity. In branding, we always need to balance the wish for many details and effects and a “certain simplicity.” Its why we removed the swash on Borg. One is enough, and the answer to the A swash thing is the final g with its ear looking to the left. At the end, size related versions have been created: So, depending the final use, you will have the choice of the logotype contrast.

→ Abigail Borg logotype in its three sizes versions at Dribbble
→ More about logotypes, lettering
→ Abigail Borg website
→ About the new logotype at Abigail Borg website

Typodarium 2012: Apolline + Ardoise

In the next edition of Typodarium, Apolline PTF & Ardoise PTF will be featured. The Typodarium calendar is a nice idea to discover new typefaces, a good way to escape from the web for few minutes.

→ Typodarium 2012

Ardoise PTF

Apolline PTF

New bespoke typeface announced in CB News

The summer edition of CB News provides an example of the new bespoke typeface we have delivered recently to Yves Saint Laurent Parfums. The family of characters will be used from 2012 as part of the identity, packaging & communication.

AW Conqueror featured at The Case and Point

Very nice specimens created by Working Format in the article about AW Conqueror wrote by Grace Partridge for The Case & Point. This online publication launched in 2010 is a curated selection of custom type design and lettering created for a specific project or use.

Wonder if 14th July, the date of publication of this article was a coincidence?

→ Read the article AW Conqueror.
→ Page about AW Conqueror.

Apolline PTF special offer: 2 days left

If you’re a Typofonderie’s client: To celebrate the launch of the Apolline PTF, clients benefit a special price of only euros 168 of any of the packs (standard price at € 210). To access this special offer, you must login at, then jump to your account page.

→ Please contact us for activation.
Available through 30 June 2011, Midnight.

ESAG diploma 2011

The french and parisian highly reputed ESAG organised a jury for their final year diploma 2001. I was jury member among around 50 others members. Among few students meet during a long day last monday, I have pointed few of them.

Marion Le Goanvec for her photography study around the idea that a same subject can be seen in fully different way, even if at 1 m distance from one point to another. Final booklet, layout, choice of typefaces was simply excellent.

Ondine Simon project was a clearly analyse of occidental formats such golden section. Simple and efficient. The coolest part was her own new ratio called Simon jaune who compile most of available ratio into one. Check this too.

Julia Boutboul topic, called Manipulations visuelles is a large overview of typical things that graphic designers, typographers deal with almost everyday: horizontal stripes doesn’t equal visually vertical stripes, etc. She created various tools to make her points, including contextual use of colours.

Along my three preferred diplomas, many others have been very interesting, fun, qualitative: Mathilde Huron beautiful 200 pages layout about brainstorm. Gaëlle Le Gelard very large book + images about the 60th parallel. Shih Che Yin incredibly good comparison between Paris and Taipei way of life. I’m sure to have missed few others good projects!

Open until Sunday 27 June 2011.

Jean François Porchez.

Typofonderie desktop wallpaper #10 (Apolline)

Time to time, we offer several desktop wallpapers, download them and enjoy!

Typofonderie Wallpaper #10a 1920×1200

A good quotation deserve to be correctly set and keeps in mind for long. Apolline PTF typeface seems to be a good choice?

“If your type is bad, the design fails.” @jasonsantamaria #aea

This quotation by @jasonsantamaria quoted by @zeldman on 13th June 2011, is valid as Erik Spiekermann’s last question on its interview of Matthew Carter in Eye Magazine #11, 1993.

The fun part of this mistake now corrected is that my first version of the wallpaper included @jasonsantamaria as signature and changed to @zeldman on the last minute. So, the two versions will remain! jfp

Typofonderie Wallpaper #10b 1920×1200

The medium is the message

Always nice to be able to listen & watch again Marshall MacLuhan. Even better when the website coded in html 5 by Scott Boms (→ subscribe to his dribbble page) and set in Le Monde Sans via typekit.

→ More Le Monde Sans in use.
→ More Le Monde Sans PTF in use.

AW Conqueror awards 2011

In recent months, AW Conqueror typeface family created for Arjowiggins via Reflex won two awards: Club des directeurs artistiques 2010 and European Design Awards 2011.

Along theses two awards, Reflex Image won also awards in the same competitions for their wonderful brochure and various materials. Designed by Frédéric Teysseire, the brochure feature the designer Seb Lester and the photographer Thomas Brown who have been hired to created various visuals using Conqueror fonts.

AW Conqueror awards 2011.
—Club des directeurs artistiques: 42e Palmarés Prix 2010 04-2011.
—Ed-Awards: Silver Award winner in category “25. Original Typeface” of the European Design Awards 2011. 05-2011.

Exclusive collection of free fonts
More details about their design.

In use: Guide des Restos Paris

Simple and effective with an interesting combination of two typefaces. Its how we can describe recent use of Parisine Office PTF + Ambroise by Marz & Chew for their design of Guide des Restos de Paris. We recognise a good typographer by its ability to set nicely simple things like a restaurant’s contact details.

^{Image detail from Typofoundry excellent blog. Note the Didot used on sign featuring a reversed S.}

Ambrose is a smart choice for titles, because it echoes the public uses of the Didot in Paris, for street signs and names of shops.

→ More Ambroise in use.
→ Special offer Ambroise 3 packs from 315 € (regular price € 420) for 2 users.

Buy it from € 140 for 2 users for a full pack.

Buy it from € 50 for 8 users for Ambroise Std Regular.

→ More Parisine Office PTF in use.

Buy it from € 210 for 8 users for a 4 weights pack.

Buy it from € 50 for 2 users for Parisine Office Std Regular.

Introducing Apolline PTF

Test it online

The Apolline PTF typeface family was created in 1993 as a means to study the transition from Renaissance writing into the first printing types. Rather than sticking to the method commonly used these days for the creation of revivals of Jenson or Bembo types, it seemed more interesting to try and get in the same mindset as those exceptional designers during this pivotal period in the history of typography.

Buy it! from € 210 for 8 users.

Apolline PTF, is a french classic dedicated to text settings and editorial projects. 2011 is year of the renaissance for this popular typeface now available in 10 series, romans + italics.
→ Be among the first ten to buy a pack of Apolline PTF and receive the PTF bag with your purchase! Normally it apply only to any purchase superior to €211.

Full pdf specimen

^{Apolline calligraphy sources and first drawings at 2 cm for ascenders.}

Initially Jean François Porchez made Apolline PTF drawings modelled after his own calligraphy. They were done at a very small size on tracing paper (2 cm high for the capitals) to preserve the irregularity of human handwriting. Besides emphasising the horizontal parts of the letter forms, the serifs were designed asymmetrically to reinforce the rhythm of the writing.

^{Apolline grids and final drawings at 10 cm for ascenders.}

^{Apolline outline design in Fontographer, 1993.}

Apolline PTF special offer

To celebrate the launch of the Apolline PTF, clients benefit a special price of only euros 168 of any of the packs (standard price at € 210). To access this special offer, you must login at, then jump to your account page.

→ Please contact us for activation.
Available through 30 June 2011.

Press release: Hadopi logotype

We have to inform you that the dispute related to Hadopi logotype in January 2010, is now resolved. More details are available on the press release available for download in pdf until the 23 May 2011.

We take this opportunity to thank the KGA business law firm for impressive work during the last months.

Mac OS 10.6.7 don’t like OpenType fonts

Various reports already published about this from the very first day of the launch of the Mac Os 10.6.7 update few weeks ago. Now, to confirm this bug: Apple recently proposed a patch to ccorect this problem who affect all .otf fonts:
See this support page: About the Mac OS X v10.6.7 Snow Leopard Font Update

→ We recommend also to remove font caches with Font Finagler, version 1.5

Anisette Petite in use: Actes Sud book covers

Anisette Petite is a typeface created few years after Anisette. When Anisette propose caps only in two widths, ideal for titles, heads, branding with style, Anisette Petite propose intermediate width caps along lowercases. Designed in 2001, this family available in 6 weights feature unique forms such the g lowercase. AW Conqueror Sans can be analysed as an evolution of Anisette Petite?

In the recent months, the french publisher Actes Sud use Anisette Petite with success on various covers. The typeface bring certain quality and style to the covers. The Animaux de compagnie cover featuring a crocodile in a bath is clever and fun!

→ More Anisette Petite in use here.
→ More Anisette in use here.
→ Read a Lettering design and Anisette.
→ Read the original text about Anisette
→ Special offer for Anisette + Anisette Petite.

Masterhead Notre Temps

For the recent redesign of the french leader Notre Temps, Jean François Porchez have been asked by Geneviève Jurgensen, the magazine editor to redesign the masterhead. The previous logotype was a sort of rounded Helvetica. The new one is a contrasted Sanserif to bring back style for the 70% of women readers.

☞ More logotypes, masterhead projects at Custom-Type.com website.

April fool 2011

Just a note saying that yesterday hot news was for 1st April 2011.

Souvenirs
Le Monde Courrier PTF special offer
Porchez Typofonderie acquire Fonderie Olive
Important: Closing down

PTF Special offer: 80% discount

Every first day of the month (Paris time: UTC/GMT +1 hour), we propose a new offer, from a unique special font pack to full library or free font. Some offers will be available two hours, others dedicated to a single country or city. For this first day of introduction, we will offer 80% discount on any Serifed typeface packs from the PTF collection. This offer is reserved to San Seriffe citizens only. Just select your country during the checkout and 80% off discount will apply to your shopping cart. As this is the first time, we are happy to extend this offer to all who have visited this island. In this case, a manual check is necessary: Just fill out the contact form and attach a copy of your visa or customs stamp.

Apply only to the following PTF collection serif typefaces:

Costa PTF

Le Monde Courrier PTF

Le Monde Livre PTF

Le Monde Journal PTF

☞ Next Typofonderie special offer: 1st May 2011 with good surprises!

Gazette: The day I decided not to use the Din

Din is a commonly used typeface, which has its critics as hard-core users. It does not leave you insensible. To go further in the debate, Guillaume Desnoyers share us a slice of life as a graphic designer in front of his typographical choices. Does he will assume his choice of Din?

As this article is available in French only, you can enjoy at least the Google translation of it.