I was going to write a book called ‘I Hate Typography’.
Big, serious plan. But writing it felt like dragging a dead horse through wet sand. So I didn’t.
Instead, I started slicing it into loose thoughts and sending them to a handful of people.
Every month is a fresh start. What comes out surprises me too. Some thoughts are brand new, others have been sitting quietly in the back of my mind for years, waiting their turn.
As one reader put it: “It’s like reading something from a friend, unpacking a present__or is it a treasure? A legacy, something valuable, a well-kept secret.
Another reader: “The best thing about your publication is that I can feel the focus and calm in it. It’s a reminder that not everything needs to be fragmented, always chasing tiny dots on the horizon or those kilometer markers along the road.”
THE FORMAT
Each issue is made with ridiculous amounts of love from a perfectionist. Always 16 pages, always 9x14 cm. Printed on a digital Riso.
I do everything by hand: the stitching, the folding of the neon-coloured envelopes, and the writing of the addresses.
Scroll down to see the publications and find out how to get them!
Publications
#1__Take a step back
Talking about typography, it feels like you can’t avoid the rules. But what rules, exactly? Aren’t we really just talking about conventions?
#2__What’s in a word?
Rules tell you what to do on a technical level. Conventions suggest how on a visual level. Tradition explains why on a conceptual level.
#3__Cheers to knowledge
Jan Tschichold taught me typography. But I’m no longer his obedient student. I challenged him, and our dialogue turned into a heated discussion. My favorite publication!
#4__The scale of Black and White
Graphic designers and typographers share the same field, but play different games. Graphic designers see it as image, part of a larger whole, while typographers focus on serving the reader. Both are just fine.
#5__My biggest heroes
An ode to the work of type designers. They operate in the shadows, designing the building blocks of written language. Yet few people ever wonder where letters come from, who designs them, or what that process involves.
#6__Shop till you stop
Where do you get typefaces? Why are some free and others expensive? Can you tell the difference? And do you need an expensive one to make good typography?
#7__Typevoice
In this publication, I meet Eva van Bemmelen. Someone who uses typography as an artistic tool in her art practice. It’s both intriguing and far outside my comfort zone. And that’s a good thing.
#8__The smell of the pen
Do you need to practice calligraphy to become a (good) typographer? Not really. But it’s worth getting your hands dirty at least once. Preferably under the guidance of Edward Johnston.
Ready to read between the letters?
Two ways to read: choose what interests you or subscribe. Your call.
NOTE ABOUT THE ORDERING PROCESS
I’ve always felt like an old soul, wishing I lived in another time. As a child, I used to imagine riding a horse to deliver mail, like a postman from long ago. Today, everything is digital, including electronic payments and all that.
But I prefer real human contact. So I hope you’ll bear with me regarding my approach to handling payments.
__Individual picks
If you're interested in a specific publication, just drop me an email. Mention the number(s) and your address, and I’ll make sure they come your way as soon as possible.
PRICES:
1 publication: €9
3 publications: €24
6 publications: €42
Postage is included.
__Subscription
One envelope, once a month.
Something more stimulating than the usual bills, fines, or tax envelopes.
With any luck, each publication will quietly undo what you thought you knew about typography.
PRICES:
3 months: €27
6 months: €48
12 months: €84
Postage is included.
SPECIAL OFFER!
Commit to 3 months: Receive 1 publication of your choice for free!
Commit to 6 months: Receive 2 publications of your choice for free!
Commit to 12 months: Receive 3 publications of your choice for free!
You can specify which ones in the form below.
If you submit your details, I will send you a payment link via PayPal, or if you’re based in the Netherlands, a payment link from my bank. If neither works for you, choose that option in the form. We’ll figure it out.
NO SPAM. PROMISE.
Please fill in this form: