Author

Laura Webber

Abstract

Nowhere is there a single, exclusive publication containing biographies, type specimens, and photographs of the many women typeface designers. From source to source, one will usually find the same names of male typeface designers repeated. However, one must refer to many sources to compile a list of women typeface designers. In an age of rapid access to all sorts of reference information, it seems silly that one must be forced to search many sources and possibly never find all they are looking for. This thesis project provides a single reference source of women typeface designers and samples of their typefaces as of December, 1996. This thesis project involved the compilation of biographical information of women typeface designers who, by definition, have created individual letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and/or other symbols produced by machine which are arranged by hand, photomechanically, or electronically. In addition, samples of the typefaces were also compiled. Upon completion of this thesis project, the degree candidate will pursue having the research published in a book. An initial search for names, typefaces, addresses and phone numbers of these designers began with phone calls to people in the field, including the designers themselves. Questionnaires asking biographical, professional and observational questions were mailed to twenty-four of the forty-one designers from January, 1995 to May, 1996. Eight questionnaires were completed and returned. Information on the remaining designers was found in previously published sources. Typeface samples were gathered through the designers, typeface distributors, or published books on type. Biographical questions asked name, date of birth, country of origin and education. Professional questions asked for information regarding typefaces designed, career moves, colleagues and awards. The observational questions asked the designer to describe the conditions in the work place acquiring a job, the sense of equality. The span of ages provided for a variety of workplace experience; the younger designers had not felt much discrimination, while the older designers had experienced feelings of inequality with their male colleagues at one time or another. Research on the remaining 32 designers was performed using many books and the Internet.The majority of the women typeface designers in this thesis project hail from the United States, with the rest from Europe. Most attended college in design-related majors. Those in the industry longer are the award-winners of the group. The result of this research is intended to take the form of a book manuscript. Appendices A through F are the Preface, Biographies, Typeface Samples, Index, Typeface Index and Works Cited. Appendix H illustrates an envisioned layout of the book.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Women type designers--Biography; Type and type-founding--History

Publication Date

5-1-1997

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

School of Print Media (CIAS)

Advisor

Provan, Archibald

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: Z250.A2 W422 1997

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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