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News Release from: Monotype Imaging | Subject: Slate fonts
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 December 2007
Monotype Calls In Designers To Develop
New Fonts
New fonts exclusive to Monotype Imaging are to be provided as a result of a new programme that will pair freelance typeface designers with Monotype's staff designers.
Rod McDonald, an award-winning designer with 50 fonts to his credit in the Monotype Library, has been named as the first design fellow of Monotype Imaging As a design fellow, McDonald will collaborate with Monotype Imaging's senior design staff to create typefaces, including revivals of font that were first released as metal type in the early part of the 20th Century
This article was originally published on Printingtalk on 22 Mar 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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McDonald will also mentor Monotype Imaging designers who are in the earlier stages of their careers.
One of McDonald's newer designs, the 12-font Slate family released last year was inspired by his interest and research on legibility.
In 2007, McDonald collaborated with senior designer Carl Crossgrove of Monotype Imaging to add six condensed fonts to the family.
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Slate fonts may also be licensed by consumer electronics device manufacturers and developers requiring fonts that display with high legibility.
Whilst part of the Monotype Library, the typeface family has also been included in Monotype Imaging's ESQ Mobile (enhanced screen quality) collection of fonts optimised for on-screen use, such as mobile telephone user interfaces where legibility is often considered essential, said the company.
Allan Haley, director of words and letters at Monotype Imaging, said: "Rod has shown excellence in his work over several years.
He is also committed to improving the art and craft of typeface design through education and outreach." He continued: "One of our goals is to resurrect and carry on a tradition that began years ago, with similar collaborative relationships resulting in typefaces such as the Gill Sans, Centaur, Haarlemmer and Dante designs, all of which are part of the Monotype Library." Beginning as a lettering artist in the 1960s and eventually switching to typeface design, McDonald has worked as an educator, historian and writer.
He has designed typefaces for companies such as Mono Lino Typesetting and Cooper and Beatty typesetting, in Toronto.
McDonald's alphabets, wordmarks and symbols have been used by organisations ranging from General Motors and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa to Maclean's and Toronto Life magazines.
He has taught at the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto and NSCAD University in Halifax (Canada).
McDonald was a founding member of the Type Club of Toronto and is a member of The Society of Typographic Aficionados, where he has served on its board of directors.
McDonald commented: "This is a real honour.
I love all aspects of typography, from studying, teaching and mentoring to bringing new typefaces to life and revitalising great designs of the past.
This programme underscores Monotype Imaging's commitment to bring forward new typefaces and revivals, which will ultimately enrich the world's typographic landscape.".
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