dynTypo

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[ SOME ANSWERS | QUESTIONNAIRE ]

Rob Meek [ WEBSITE ]

1. How would you describe your work in connection with typography and multimedia?
I have done one piece of extended creative work which involved the generation of typefaces using a non-standard interface (that of a synthesizer - a musical instrument). I am also a programmer with a particular interest in typographically-related programming, and a screen designer. I wouldn't say I have a passion for typography - its more of a habitual thing - something I can't quick shake off.

2. In dynTypo I'm collecting examples of artists, studios/projects where dynamic typography is used in cooperation with design and multimedia arts. Examples: John Maeda, Peter Cho, Andreas Müller, Yugo Nakamura, Jason Lewis, Letterror, etc. Is anyone else dealing with these issues that are important/influential for you? If so, why do you think they are important for your work?
I am familiar with the work of some of these people. As a programmer I have a lot of respect for Letterror because they really know how digital fonts work on a technical level. Their work has certainly been inspirational.

3. Did you study dynamic typography at school?
No.

4. How do you see yourself as a designer or a multimedia artist?
Neither / both. I guess I see myself as someone who straddles several disciplines - programming / screen design / motion design - So I guess multimedia artist might be more fitting.

5. Can you identify some restrictions/limitations in the software you are using? If so, please specify?
There isn't that much competition is there? I've never designed a typeface in Fontlab or Fontographer - I do it in Freehand or one of my own tools first - I guess you could see this as a limitation - that the dominant font making software are not really design tools - they are technical typographical ones - also sometimes I think it would be nice to offer users an interface that doesn't mention unicode or code pages or encodings or true type table fields ...

6. How do you see the use of self-made programs for dynamic typography? And what do you think of using it for both 'personal research' and commissioned projects?
I guess sometimes you need to write custom software, sometimes you don't. One big advantage of rolling your own is the potential for discovering the unintended, unexpected and the unique. Things can go wrong or just strange. I love randomness and I love the idea of inhuman thought - images or ideas that humans simply cannot produce without mechanical assistance.

7. How do you think dynamic typography can improve our daily basis life? In other words, what do you think about the usage of dynamic typography?
There could be many lengthy answers to this question - depending on your definition of dynamic typography. I guess if something is moving and changing it adds a new level of potential meaning and engagement - something gestural, in some way more physical - something which is lacking in static type.

8. How do you see the future of dynamic typography evolution?
Emails which express emotion through dynamic typography. No not really thats a silly idea. I really don\'t know. The potential for more and more instances of dynamic typography is obviously technically there though.

Thank you!