Jo De Baerdemaeker Belgian typographic design has often been overshadowed by styles from surrounding countries. Can we define one specific “Belgian style”, or should we follow claims that it is fragmented, and merely influenced by characteristics of other international typographic styles? Typo Belgiëque aims to outline the visual design identity of Belgium in the nineteenth and twentieth century by undertaking a thorough analysis of recently discovered type material of until now unknown Belgian type foundries, and shed a light on this missing link in the typographic history and identify of Belgium, the Low Countries and Europe.
By studying historical Belgian typeface families, and exploring possibilities to reconstruct a Belgian visual identity via digital font technologies, a new collection of digital fonts is being designed and developed as an important practical design output of Typo Belgiëque. A unique selection of authentic Belgian printing types will be used as the source of inspiration and the ultimate goal is to revitalize these as digital computer fonts for contemporary use in (Belgian) publishing and media design.
These new and exclusive font families will be developed following the most recent variable font technologies, to secure a high level of legibility and optimal use for dynamic, responsive web- & screen typography in every form of digital publication.Typo Belgiëque is a two-year practice oriented scientific research project (PWO), led by Jo De Baerdemaeker at LUCA School of Arts, Visual Design, Research unit LABO Pro. (www.typobelgieque.be)