Escapism, euphoria & deep feelings
MAY 2025
The title of this monthly newsletter comes from Charli XCX, an artist who has given me a lot of the above over the past six months. Out of all her live events on YouTube, this one from the Boiler Room NYC, and this one at the Pitchfork Music Fest are my favs.
A few months ago, I sent out a newsletter called ‘AI (Artificial Intimacy)’, which pointed out other important topics that might not seem trendy right now but, in my opinion, are just as important.
But if we’re strictly and literally talking about AI—and you’re asking me what do I think about it? My first answer is: 'I’m sick of hearing about it.' And my second one is: 'I’m sick of reading statements that start with… I spent only five minutes doing [DIS or DAT].'
A few weeks ago, for the first time in a long while, I read an interesting insight from Jessica Hische, that, in my opinion, is worth sharing with all of you.
“I shared on Threads a bit about how ChatGPT can now do passable lettering and I feel like there are so many well-meaning people that just can’t see the forest for the trees on this one.
Yes it messes up. Yes its kerning is not aces. But its about as capable as 80% of well-educated, well-trained designers, except it creates work instantaneously.
Yes my work is safe because I see those differences and work at a level of craft well beyond what most human designers are capable of. But what affects the bottom affects the top, and I know it’ll be hard to convince those with the purse strings to spend 5k on a human artist for one image when they can spend $200/mo for as much art as they could possibly imagine. And that art will be generated by thoughtful, intelligent, creative, educated art directors, not prompt daddies with no artistic taste.
If you know me, you know that I’m not entering into this new phase of creativity with my head in the sand, and that I’ve basically made it my mission to make techno-optimists at least acknowledge the short-term casualties happening in the name of long-term progress. I’m not anti AI, I’m anti not acknowledging that the next 5-10 years is going to be really uncomfortable for a lot of folks, that it could possibly lead to a magnification of the influencer effect on commercial art, and could drive low and middle income families to make different choices for their art loving kids. We might end up in a world where the only people with creative careers are those who grew up privileged enough to study and pursue it (which honestly is already a thing).
You know that Russ (my husband) works at Meta ON GenAI and that we have basically spent the last 2 years trying to grok our very different feelings about it and sway each other to find the truth in the middle of a complex issue. It’s been actually awesome. Because I really understand how AI works and he really understands how commercial artists may be impacted.
I just wish we could fast forward to when this is all just an invisible tool that helps us make our art, rather than a novelty that helps people make images without involving artists. I am legit excited for taking my art and being able to see it move, made into .obj files that I can 3D print, etc, through the help of new technologies.
But looking at lettering pieces like these (which I made with a prompt on ChatGPT) and saying they still look like AI garbage is insane. Think of how far this technology has come. This is at least as good as all the work I made in my first 3 years out of art school.
In no way does this dissuade me from making art however I want—it definitely makes me happy for my logotype work and all of the other things that fill my time and life. And it makes me want to focus even more on IRL connection and the stories behind the work, which give all work value, no matter what it looks like and no matter who creates it.” By Jessica Hische
See her original post and the images she is referring.
Below you’ll find my latest talk called “Learning to see: Type design education x graphic designers”; and my latest education video giving an introduction to Italic calligraphy.
On the third part of this newsletter, you’ll find type-face resources including a talk by CAST; Marta Cerdà’s new book; and an updated presentation by Debbie Millman which I cannot recommend enough.
E X T R A $
For those seeking a more emotive narrative of my last two months, you’ll find a personal video describing our nomadic life, plus a few extra links at the end of this letter.
Green Fairy Font 7th Anniversary | 30% Off!
Believe it or not, Green Fairy has turned 7 years old! Yes, it’s been already seven years… and now that I’m in the process of publishing my second font called Kanat Latin, I’m having a lot of the same uncomfortable feelings and thoughts: “Is it done yet?”, “I thought it was nearly done 4 weeks ago…”, “I’m nearly there, but I’m now running out of steam…” Fun times indeed!
Grab your Green Fairy font file with a 30% discount this month of May only!
Learning to See: Type Design Education x Graphic Designers
During the months of March & April 2025, I have given two in-person guest lectures. The first one at Contraforma Barcelona, and the second one at Escola d’Art Pau Gargallo. The last one was followed by one-hour Q&A session with students from 18 to 32, which I truly enjoyed!
I’m looking for new speaking opportunities—talks & workshops alike.
As a graphic, type designer and educator, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at conferences like The Design Conference, Typism, Type Paris, Type Labs, AtypI, as well as at design schools like RMIT, Newcastle University, University of the Sunshine Coast and Type@Cooper. I’ve also been a guest speaker at online programs including Practica Program and Type Design Asia.
I’d love to connect with more agencies, studios, and design schools for speaking engagements and hands-on workshops. If you’re up for a chat about calligraphy, lettering, type design and branding assets, I’d be grateful to be considered! Hit reply and say hola👋.
Intro to Italic Calligraphy x Beginners
I recently published a free educational video giving an introduction to Italic Calligraphy for beginners. Using control characters such as “i, n” and “o” I’m explaining the alphabet’s DNA, its scale and slant. You can learn more about Italic Calligraphy here.
T Y P E - F A C E S
Alfabeti Modernisti Italiani via The Letterform Archive
For many years, Luca Lattuga of Anonima Impressori has been collecting and cataloguing modernist wood type (and some metal type) produced in Italy, which were very popular in the 1930s. Luca will present his findings in a book to be published by Lazy Dog Press in 2026.
To support his research into these forgotten types, CAST has created digital revivals of the best designs Luca has uncovered. These revivals, released as Alfabeti Modernisti, are now available as part of CAST’s typeface collection and can also be accessed on Adobe Fonts. The collection was designed by a team of CAST members and collaborators, following a faithful and respectful approach to the original sources.
Riccardo Olocco, Valentina Casali and Giulio Galli introduce the collection and present their revival work.
Sobreviure al disseny | Context, memòria i temps by Martra Cerdà via Anagrama
Designing in accelerated and ever-changing times: a practical and down-to-earth defence of creative crafts.
Marta Cerdà reflects—through highly visual examples and consistently illuminating ideas—on the key principles of the discipline.
Sobreviure al disseny is written in a playful spirit, yet with the clear intention of showing why design still matters for life in community. A book that champions the artisanal side of creative work, closely tied to a slower pace that is becoming ever more rare. Catalan and Spanish book versions available now.
What I Wish I Knew When I Started My Career w/ Debbie Millman via Canva
I cannot tell you how many times I have recommended students to watch this presentation by Debbie Millman from 12 years ago.
In 2025, we are for a real treat again as Debbie has presented an updated version of this talk with additional insights and wisdom from the last decade. If you need someone to kick your ass and get seriously motivated, this is for you.