Allow us to introduce ourselves! We are Joann and Joel, and we’re both graphic design students at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities who have an obsessive (some would say neurotic) interest in typography. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t share a comment concerning some printed item, signage, or other typographic object.
We are both studying at the Accademia Italiana in Florence, Italy for the fall semester of 2009. Florence has been and still is a major influence in the world of art, design, and aesthetics. This, along with Italy’s history in the development of typography and printing make it a good place to explore our typographic passions! Geographically, Florence’s central location provides easy access to other parts of Italy that have influenced typography as well. Italy is home to great typographical designers such as Bodoni, has a culture highly involved in design, and nearby us are letterpress printers and papermaking mills integral to the printing of type, all of which create a unique environment in which to discover and discuss typography.
