Presented by SOTA (Society of Typographic Aficionados), the protoType Typeface Design Competition is calling for the most experimental and innovative type designs.
The contest aims to promote not only innovative fonts but essentially the speculative ideas behind them, in order to amplify their relevance to future design efforts, enriching the cultural landscape. The selected typefaces will not necessarily be finished products; for the purposes of protoType they essentially serve as vehicles for ideas.
Typeface design is living culture. As such it cannot limit itself to being a reliable tool for others to create ground-breaking compositions, it must also mark its own cultural progress in order to stay relevant. A tool must evolve for others to continuously make truly new things with it.
A submitted design does not necessarily have to be an installable font, although the practical usability of a typeface may be taken into consideration by the jurors.
Eligibility
Open to anyone worldwide.
Prize
The typefaces selected for inclusion in protoType will be exhibited during TypeCon 2016 and have specimens published online, with the further possibility of being part of a traveling exhibition.
In addition TypeCon will publish an explanatory video of one overall winner chosen by the jury.
What & How To Enter
There is no cost to enter, and no eligibility timeframe. There is a limit of three submissions per party. No form of anonymity will be implemented.
The party submitting a typeface may be any of its designers, the foundry, or any of its distributors; in the case of a typeface being submitted by multiple parties, all parties will be credited. For typefaces that have no current ownership (typically historical designs) any party can submit, and will be credited.
A submitted design does not necessarily have to be an installable font, although the practical usability of a typeface may be taken into consideration by the jurors (who may request additional information to that end). In the case of a submission in a writing system unfamiliar to the jury, an outside expert may be consulted; failing that the typeface will regrettably be excluded from consideration.
In addition to the specimen PDF/webpage each entry must include a textual explanation (maximum of 300 words) in English concerning the innovation intended by the typeface. This text will be reworked by the jury (possibly in consultation with the submitting party) if the design is selected for inclusion in the exhibition.
To submit your entry, please complete the online form at the official website.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://prototype.typegallery.com/