Starting with this issue, this column will closely follow the Moripass club activities of the FONT SWITCH PROJECT for a year. We will report on the club's activities. First, we spoke with advisor Akiyo Hashizume ahead of the club's second term in 2017.
The appeal of fonts is something only students can understand, and the Moripass Club is here to spread the word!
Created by Morisawa Inc., a long-established typeface manufacturerFONT SWITCH PROJECTis a project to "turn on the sensitivity of fonts." The main focus is on the Moripass Club, which is made up of students from art universities and vocational schools. It is a club activity in which the same members work together for a year.
What is the goal of this club activity? We asked advisor Akiyo Hashizume...
"For many years, Morisawa has been working to communicate the appeal of fonts. We have visited universities to hold lectures and collaborated on school assignments... The FONT SWITCH PROJECT is an integration of these activities. We named the project in June 2016.
However, as a manufacturer, simply saying "fonts are wonderful" doesn't convey their true appeal and depth. I believe that there are things that can only be noticed through the fresh sensibilities of students. And the appeal of fonts as seen through a student's perspective will surely be a meaningful discovery for other art students as well.
The Moripass Club was born from this idea. We, the advisors, will support the student members in discovering the appeal of fonts themselves and sharing it with fellow members outside the club."
By learning about and enjoying fonts, you can gain the key to enhancing your expression.
Hashizume-san is currently an advisor to Morisawa, but he himself graduated from an art university and first became aware of the appeal of fonts during his time at university.
"I studied Japanese painting. In Japanese painting, you start with a sketch, then sketch the outline (a technique of drawing an outline with ink), and then color it. I was particularly drawn to the beauty of the lines in the sketch. Lines are also important in typefaces. I realized this commonality and became a big fan of fonts (laughs)."
Students majoring in art should have some idea of the existence of fonts. However, Hashizume says, "Typefaces are something we come into contact with every day. They're so commonplace that we tend to overlook how important they are."
Font Products"MORISAWA PASSPORT"There are over 1,000 typefaces included. There are tons of different types of Mincho and Gothic fonts alone. Finding the typeface that will convey the image you want to convey is like a treasure hunt (laughs).
I hope that the Moripass Club's activities will help people find that treasure. I hope that people will realize that the differences between typefaces and how they are arranged can make a huge difference in the image they convey.
Highlights of 2017 activities: The charm of 28 unique fonts
So, what are the specific activities of the Moripass Club? Last year, we input knowledge through lectures, assignments, and the free magazine "FONT SWITCH MAGAZINE",FacebookThe main focus of the activity was to create output that conveys the appeal of fonts.
In the second year, they will upgrade everything! In addition to lectures and workshops from advisors, they will also be enhancing workshops with typeface designers. Guests will be invited to give comments on assignments.
Once each member has absorbed a wealth of knowledge, they will split into two teams starting in June to produce free papers and plan events.
Furthermore, the number of members has increased from 17 last year to 28. This brings together a variety of personalities, and we are sure you will be able to see the charm of fonts!
This blog will also feature information on student projects, so please keep an eye on it throughout the year.
Writer: Umezawa