Speaker at TypeCon 2024 with “Dusty Old Type”

What is the importance of physical archives? In a world that is becoming more digital every day, do we really need to preserve all those old paper artifacts? 

During my 10+ year long research on Italian Nineteenth Century type I traveled to many places to visit public and private collections, having the chance to browse through type specimens that were not open for decades. Some surprised me, some other changed my mind. Some were beautifully made, others were cheaply printed. All of them told me a story.

Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a design student, come with me back in time to the Nineteenth Century through its overly-decorated, quirky, and extremely lively typefaces. Are they really too old, too loud, and too playful? Can we still learn anything from the past?
A journey through public libraries, dusty archives, and long-forgotten books: because what feeds creativity is often waiting in disguise.

TypeCon is the conference for everyone who loves type & lettering! It’s the annual conference presented by the non-profit Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA), an international organization dedicated to the promotion, study, and support of typography and related arts.

Dusty old type

TypeCon 2024
July 24–27, 2024

Revolution Hall
1300 Southeast Stark Street Portland OR