Schedule

This is a top-level schedule to give a general idea of the themes we cover. As we get a better idea of the mix of participants, we will refine the content of sessions to reflect attendees’ interests.

Week 1 : 29 June – 3 July

(Day and lead person of the day’s theme)

Monday | Gerry Leonidas

A theoretical framework for working with primary sources

Case study with Greek archival evidence: lessons from the first diasporic and non-native script typography in Europe

Tuesday | Fiona Ross

Typeface design for scripts beyond Latin: focus on South Asian scripts
Supporting design and inquiry with collections

Wednesday | Cheng Xunchang | Maddi Almond

Case study with Chinese archival evidence: new research for typographic script adaptations

Exploring tool behaviours through Chinese practice; or
Historic Press Workshop session

Thursday | Borna Izadpanah

Case study with Arabic and Persian archival evidence: the tension between typesetting, script grammar, and formal requirements 

Exploring tool behaviours through Arabic practice

Friday | PhD researchers, Gerry Leonidas, a.o.

Historic Press Workshop session, or workshop for research proposals and projects 

Emerging models for research in typography and typeface design

Close of the week’s sessions, and preparation for next week for
participants staying on.

Above: snapshots from sessions. Small groups discussing design issues with original materials to hand

Interim week : 6 – 10 July

This week provides an opportunity to work independently with daily feedback or consultation sessions. People can make use of reading materials in our Reading Room, and follow up on work shown or mentioned in the first week.

This setup will be especially useful for researchers working on developing papers or proposals, who can use the week as a “writing retreat”.

There is no fee for this week for those registering for Week 1 or both weeks of the TDi.

Above: Cheng Xunchang and Gerry Leonidas preparing for sessions

Week 2 : 13 – 17 July

(Day and lead person of the day’s theme)

Monday | Gerry Leonidas

Western typeface development themes

Multiscript matching and harmonisation

Historic Press and Hot metal caster introduction

Tuesday | Fred Smeijers

Conventions of Latin typeface design 1

Historic Press Workshop session for inducted participants, or feedback on personal projects

Wednesday | Fred Smeijers

Conventions of Latin typeface design 2

Styles and families in typeface design

Historic Press Workshop session for inducted participants, or feedback on personal projects

Thursday | Borna Izadpanah

Arabic lettering practice and typeface exercises, feedback on personal projects

Friday | Gerry Leonidas

The type market and careers in type

Above: Fred Smeijers on fundamental proportions, and a snapshot from Arabic practice

Working days are 09:30–13:00 and 14:00–17:30, with a one-hour break for lunch. We provide coffee and tea, and a light lunch. There is a comfortable kitchen (with fridge, microwave, etc.) if you need to prepare your own food.


For those wanting to explore metal type in scripts beyond Latin, it will be possible to substitute sessions above. Get in touch with Gerry Leonidas to discuss your interests and how we can make your visit most productive.

Archival material that can be handled, examined, compared
Hieroglyphics type in our Historic Press Workshop
Roy Chan working on his Masters research in the HPW, digitising impressions of the Hong-Kong Type in our archives (2024–25)