Underware

Often described as typographic storytellers, the designers from the European studio Underware see themselves simply as type designers. But they are type designers who question the very nature of dimensions — how many can one live in, design in, or even shape a letter within? What is a dimension, really? Is yours the same as mine? And does that even matter?

The members of Underware all live in different cities, of which Amsterdam is one. Based on some recent explorative as well as applied projects, Bas Jacobs – their local type designer – will explore these questions and will give at least one possible answer to the title of the lecture: 2.​

Unique aesthetics

The typefaces by Underware stand out for their unique aesthetics and technical expertise. The company was founded in 1999 by Akiem Helmling, Sami Kortemäki, and Bas Jacobs. Since then, they have not only created a modest library of retail fonts but also made custom fonts for a wide range of international clients. Meanwhile, they try to expand the notion of type. They question, experiment, code, and diligently produce new tools on the furthest edge of type design technology. With offices in The Hague, Helsinki, and Amsterdam, the team is happy to speak in English, Dutch, German, Finnish, some local dialects, and a bit of Spanish.