Women of Type with AIGA
I had the opportunity to attend the AIGA's "Women of Type” event last week, featuring the talented Jess Goldsmith. The discussion was part of the Fresh Dialogue event series at AIGA, which features critical discussions on current events, cultural issues, and emerging topics in the world of design.
Jess Goldsmith, the founder of Women of Type, and its editor, Artavia Jarvis, delved into the topic of transforming a digital platform into an in-person community that fosters and showcases the works of women and nonbinary artists from around the globe. Women of Type is a book and a community that features over 130 artists from more than 20 countries and five continents, showcasing their creative typography and lettering. This platform has grown from a small corner of the internet to a vibrant community, with the book being a testament to the diverse beauty and power of typography.
Jess Goldsmith & Artavia Jarvis
I've always been fascinated by typography, especially by the incredible work of women in this field. Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to typography and graphic design, yet their accomplishments are often overlooked. With Jess Goldsmith's "Women of Type" Instagram community I often found myself lost in inspiration and admiration for the women profiled on that platform. From the dynamic and innovative work of Zuzana Licko, who founded Emigre Fonts in 1984, to the elegant and timeless typefaces of Beatrice Warde, who famously wrote "The Crystal Goblet" in 1932, women have been responsible for some of the most iconic and memorable typefaces to date. One woman who particularly stands out to me is Paula Scher, a graphic designer, and typographer known for her bold and dynamic work. Scher's influence is evident in her branding work for companies such as Citibank, Microsoft Windows, and the Public Theater. The Women of Type community however made room for female typographers who may not have the recognition of Scher, Licko, or Warde but whose work and contributions are no less important. Whether seen or unseen, the contributions women have made to typography are absolutely incredible.
It was wonderful to hear Goldsmith talk about the organic curation process for her digital community as well as the steps she took to craft the pages we see in her new self-published book. Goldsmith recognized a gap in the recognition of women's work in typography and graphic design and set out to create a platform where their contributions could be celebrated and shared. It's inspiring to see how social media platforms can be used to uplift and highlight underrepresented voices in different fields.
A copy of Women of Type can be purchased here.
