ELIZABETH GOODSPEED ON WHY DESIGN STUDIOS ARE MAKING FONTS

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Brand designers are increasingly making their own typefaces to gain creative control, ensure distinctiveness, and avoid expensive licensing fees. With tools like Glyphs making font creation more accessible, studios such as Koto, &Walsh, and Order are integrating type design directly into branding work. However, this surge has also led to many underdeveloped or derivative fonts, as tight timelines and limited mentorship reduce craftsmanship. While the trend democratizes access and encourages diversity in type design, it also threatens the sustainability of the professional type industry.