Fontworks Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO Ai Harada, hereinafter Fontworks) has strengthened its partnership with Monotype Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Fuminori Sato, hereinafter Monotype). We have decided to invite Mr. Akira Kobayashi from Monotype to supervise the production of the European language for the development project.
About strengthening cooperation
Fontworks and Monotype entered into a business alliance in April 2017, providing the annual flat-rate font service "Monotype LETS" and driving the European font market. In order to have more customers use the high-quality fonts of both companies, we will strengthen the partnership and develop services.
We plan to provide mixed Japanese and European fonts using the flagship fonts of both companies, and develop corporate/original fonts, which have been in high demand in recent years.
Launch of a special team with Monotype Creative Type Director Akira Kobayashi
The Type Directors Club in New York has launched a special team with Monotype creative type director Akira Kobayashi, who won the TDC Medal, a global award that recognizes individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to typography, in October 2022. Masu.
Fontworks Typeface Design Director Shigenobu Fujita and Joachim Müller-Lancé are among the leading domestic and international designers, and we will further strengthen our consulting on original font development and proposals for high-quality typefaces that can be used globally.
Comment from Monotype Creative Type Director Akira Kobayashi
“It is truly an ideal collaboration. Combining Fontworks’ Japanese fonts and Monotype’s European fonts will make the message we send to Japan and the world even more sophisticated. Future Developments Look forward to."
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Having won the Grand Prix twice in an international competition for European typefaces, he has lived in Germany since 2001. In addition to joint typeface development with renowned Type Designers Hermann Zapf and Adrian Frutiger, he was in charge of the direction of the Japanese typefaces Tazugane Kaku Gothic and Shorai Sans. In addition to giving lectures and workshops mainly in Europe, the United States, and Asia, he also serves as a judge for international contests. Winner of the Type Directors Club's TDC Medal in 2022.
Comment from Shigenobu Fujita, Fontworks typeface design director
"By strengthening the collaboration with Monotype this time, it is an epoch-making attempt to solve the problem of aligning the size and weight, which was the most difficult point when designers using typefaces combine Mincho typefaces and Gothic typefaces with European typefaces. I think it is."
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After joining the Shaken character design department of phototypesetting machine Co., Ltd., joined Fontworks Inc. in 1998 and developed many typefaces such as Tsukushi typeface.
Received the 2010 Tokyo TDC Award for "Tsukushi Old Mincho" and "Tsukushi Maru Gothic".
"Tsukushi Old Gothic-B" "Tsukushi Antique Gothic-B" "Tsukushi Antique Mincho-L" "Tsukushi Q Mincho-L"
"Tsukushi A Vintage Mincho-R" and "Tsukushi B Vintage Mincho-R" received the Tokyo TDC Award 2018 Type Design Award.
Comment from Fontworks Type Design Director Joachim Müller-Lancé
“Characters play a role as the foundation of human communication and culture. I am really looking forward to standing with Monotype.”
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Originally from Germany. Received high acclaim such as winning typography competitions in various countries including Japan.
In charge of information design and VI (visual identity) for several overseas companies.
In 2018, he worked as a European design director for font maker YOON Design in Seoul.
From 2020, he joined Fontworks and became the current typeface director for European typefaces.
Future plans
We are planning to develop and provide services for mixed Japanese fonts such as Fontworks' flagship font "Tsukushi typeface" and Japanese and Western fonts such as Monotype's "Helvetica".
Furthermore, in the future, both companies aim to expand services for global companies, mainly in Asia.
Decision to hold an online seminar
On April 26, 2023 (Wednesday), Monotype Creative Type Director Akira Kobayashi will be invited to hold an online seminar on the theme of "Fundamentals of European Fonts". Please see below for details and to apply.