Discussion Point 2

Discussion Point 2: Typographic Context

Scott Shirbin

Claude Garamond & Hoefler / Frere - Jones



Claude Garamond lived sometime between 1490 and 1561. He was a French publisher and mainly lived in Paris most of his life. He was one of the leading type designers of the time and created several typefaces but is most known for Garamond, Granjon and Sabon. Claude is also known for introducing the apostrophe, accent and the cedilla to the french language.

Claude came to prominence in 1541 when three of his typefaces were requested to be published in a royal book series by Robert Estienne. These books are known to be 'among the most finished specimens of typography that exist.' Working in such times it is obvious that his practice was non-digital and each individual letter were cut. 

Hoefler / Frere-Jones is one of the most influential type foundries in the modern era. They are located in New York City and is run by the type designers Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones. They have developed fonts for both the retail market and for individual clients (such as The New York Times, The Sun, Esquire. Harper's Bazaar, Rolling Stone and The Guardian.) Some of their most famous typefaces include Archer, Gotham, Hoefler Text, Requiem, Surveyor and Whitney. Although they have many more fonts for sale on their website 'www.typography.com' 

Arguably, it is more clear to see that Claude Garamonds typographic practice has had more of a contribution to the world of typography due to creating one of the base fonts that modern typographers certainly design around now. But it is also evident that Hoefler and Frere-Jones have also had a significant impact with their collection of great typefaces (something else that the digital age helps that it is much easier to create typefaces then four hundred years ago when they had to be carved or cut). 

Hoefler and Frere-Jones have both stated that they defiantly look at past typefaces (like Garamond) and gain essential inspiration from them to create more modern typefaces.