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Annual International Publishing Design Forum

Activities for Professionals
Annual International Publishing Design Forum
The Rebellion of Sans Serifs: Does the World Need New Typefaces?

Activities for Professionals
Annual International Publishing Design Forum

The Faces of Typography in Editorial Design

The Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), in collaboration with Anáhuac University Mexico, will celebrate the tenth edition of the International Forum on Editorial Design. This year, the focus will be on the importance of typography in editorial design.

Typography not only serves as a vehicle for textual communication but also plays a crucial role in the aesthetics and readability of any publication. From the selection of typefaces that convey unique editorial styles to the adaptation of typography for various modern media and formats, this forum will explore how typography defines the visual narrative of stories and editorial content.

More than just a functional tool, typography is a critical element in the identity and expression of contemporary publications, directly influencing how readers perceive and engage with content. Thus, this event will provide a space for reflection and learning, where participants will share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on the significance and evolution of typography in editorial design.

Activities for Professionals
Annual International Publishing Design Forum
The Rebellion of Sans Serifs: Does the World Need New Typefaces?

Understanding the role of typography in the editorial field dates back to Gutenberg's movable type. The 16th to 19th centuries were crucial in defining contemporary typographic systems. Serif typefaces nearly standardized the publishing industry. Today, we face the challenge of creating typefaces for digital media, where sans serifs seem to have taken prominence, relegating serifs to traditional media and even excluding them from brand design. However, the cyclical nature of trends invites a reconsideration of serif typefaces.

So, does the industry need new typefaces? More than a simple question, this reflection is directed towards what the world of typography currently demands. Amidst saturation and difficulty in the typographic sector to offer new typefaces, efforts are focused on the custom design of typefaces for companies and individuals, with the editorial industry leading this trend. On the other hand, the development of variable fonts provides designers with the ability to go beyond simple application, offering the possibility to modify weights, shapes, characteristics, and even animate them, adapting to opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

Participants: Gen Ramírez, Andreu Balius Planelles, Mario Balcázar

Moderator: Mónica Puigferrat Novella

Gen Ramírez

Gen Ramírez, a type designer and educator based in Guadalajara, Mexico, co-founded Dual Type, a Mexican-Croatian studio specializing in type design, editorial design, branding, and digital media. His multidisciplinary approach to design has led him to a lifelong exploration of typeform and expression. With a background rooted in traditional lettering, he is dedicated to preserving and promoting this craft both professionally and culturally. He completed certification programs in Type Design at The Cooper Union in San Francisco and New York. He graduated with a master's degree in type design and technology from the TypeMedia program at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, Netherlands. His work has been recognized by the Latin American Typography Biennial, Tipos Latinos. In addition to teaching type design and calligraphy, Gen plays a key role in fostering a thriving typographic community in Mexico, organizing the biennial Letrástica conference in Guadalajara.

Andreu Balius Planelles

Andreu Balius is a graphic designer specializing in type design and editorial design. He holds a PhD from the University of Southampton and teaches at the Eina School of Design in Barcelona. He began designing typefaces in the late 1980s. In 1990, he launched Garcia Fonts & Co, an experimental project exploring the expressive possibilities of digital technology. In 2003, he founded Typerepublic, a digital foundry where he publishes his typefaces and creates corporate typography for clients such as Victoria’s Secret, Seat/Volkswagen, Arte TV, the Government of La Rioja, the Barcelona Provincial Council, and Abu Dhabi Ports, among others.

He has given lectures at national and international conferences, as well as workshops at schools and universities. His work has been awarded prizes such as the European Design Award and the “Certificate of Excellence in Type Design” from the TDC. He is a member of AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale), TDC (Type Directors Club), and ATypI, and is the author of the book Type at Work: Usos de la tipografía en el diseño editorial and numerous articles in specialized publications.

Mario Balcázar

He is a graphic designer with a master's degree in editorial design from Universidad Anáhuac Mexico, and additional studies in design, typography, and publishing at Stanford and Type Cooper. In 1999, he founded ilustresDiseño, a studio specializing in branding, editorial, and advertising design. Eight years later, the studio evolved into MBA Estudio de Diseño, where he has consolidated his work with clients such as Walmart, Petco, Infonavit, and Alsea, expanding his focus to include digital design and information architecture up to the present day.

Currently, he divides his time between MBA Estudio and teaching editorial design, typography, calligraphy, and identity at Universidad Anáhuac. He also specializes in executive management at IPADE and MIT. His passions include lettering, editorial design, branding, photography, and writing, particularly on design and management topics. He is the co-author of the book Gestión del Diseño, published by Universidad Anáhuac, and has contributed to websites such as Foroalfa and Paredro.