We partnered with Monotype to bring the New York edition of “Pencil to Pixel” to life by creating two distinct yet connected experiences of historical and modern typeface design. The goal was an exhibit that was definitively New York, but could be translated into an ongoing series from city to city.

Eliminating graphic devices and color allowed for typefaces to take center stage as visitors explored the space. The exhibit’s two rooms, “Pencil” and “Pixel,” each had an immersive experience telling Monotype’s brand story and displaying its extensive portfolio. “Pencil” contained original hand drawings for hot-metal faces, hand-cut films, production drawings for Times New Roman commissioned for The Times of London, concept art, photos, publications, and metal and film master art. “Pixel” included cutting-edge digital applications, the first bitmap designs and a digital Tagboard aggregating social conversation around the event in real-time.

By infusing macro and micro typography that were both static and dynamic, we told a cohesive story of how type plays a critical role in shaping the art of communication. The show drew thousands of visitors over the course of the week, offering designers and non-designers alike a new appreciation for the craft of typography.