The Type Design class at HGB frames type design as both a technical discipline and a cultural practice. Unique in Germany and rooted in Leipzig's tradition since 1914, it provides a foundation for developing new typefaces at a professional level.
Students shape letterforms across analogue and digital tools, working from research and vector drawing to full font production. Along the way, they explore new aesthetics, challenge traditions, and work with the optical factors of type design. At the same time, they build a critical perspective through history and technology, learning how typefaces shift across design and visual culture.
The class runs as an open studio, balancing long-term projects, experiments and external collaborations. Weekly tutorials, workshops and guest critiques bring additional perspectives, creating a collaborative and international space closely connected to contemporary design discourse.
Graduates leave fluent and independent, with portfolios that support future practice, research or self-initiated projects.
Past guests and lecturers:
Scott Vander Zee (USA), Michelangelo Nigra (IT), Charlotte Rohde (DE), Kyiv Type Foundry (UA), Philipp Koller (BurrowLab), Gaile Pranckunaite (LT), Anne Büttner (DE)