SCAD Graphic Design Department Hosts Typographic Luminaries

Article By: Robert Newman
Published: April 28, 2008

Allan Haley, director of words and letters at Monotype Imaging Inc., and Deb Gonet, manager of typeface development at Monotype, visited the Savannah College of Art and Design graphic design department March 6 and 7. Haley has been instrumental in establishing the typeface design graduate certificate program at SCAD through the implementation of the Monotype Typeface Design Scholarship.

Haley is a widely recognized typographic designer, historian, author and lecturer who has presented to conferences internationally. He is also the president of the Society of Typographic Aficionados, has served as a past president of the Type Director’s Club, and is instrumental in the establishment and organization of TypeCon, the largest and most successful national conference devoted to dialogues, advancements and education in the typographic community. Haley also serves as an adviser to the SCAD graphic design department.

Monotype is the largest typographic organization in the world with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. The company is among the oldest in typography and the most forward thinking in defining the industry’s future. The only typographic organization to be publicly traded, Monotype not only develops, licenses and markets proprietary typeface designs; they also work closely with original equipment manufacturers in designing typefaces and imaging technologies for digital printers and hand-held devices.

Haley and Gonet met with faculty members, visited classrooms including the graduate Typeface Design class, critiqued student work and gave presentations on typeface design. They offered in-depth critiques of students’ work, applying the same standards used in the review process through which they accept typefaces for development. The critiques were very successful and the students had the opportunity to have their work judged at the highest professional level.

“We’ve both been very impressed, not only by the quality of the designs but by the sources of inspiration and the amount of work these students are able to complete in one quarter as well as the expression of personal voice in their work,” said Haley.

Students engaged in a discussion with Haley and Gonet following their critiques, where they learned how to market their designs, about opportunities in the specialized and growing profession, and the availability of internships in different organizations.

“Visiting our class and receiving critiques of our work was a great learning opportunity for us all,” said Greg Eckler, graphic design M.F.A. candidate.

Haley and Gonet met with four M.F.A. thesis candidates who are developing their theses around some element of typeface design, and discussed their propositions as well as offered ideas for research and expanding bibliographies.

“The close working relationships we are developing with industry leaders is energizing our department and creating new opportunities for our students and faculty,” said Quentin Currie, chair of the graphic design department. “Having both working and learning opportunities with professionals of Allan’s and Deb’s stature is one of the ways we are building an unexcelled graphic design program.”

“This has been a great visit,” said Haley. “I have enjoyed meeting everyone, seeing some great work and experiencing the contagious enthusiasm of both students and faculty. Deb and I both look forward to working more closely with SCAD in the future.”

Newman is a professor of graphic design at SCAD.