Thomas Huot-Marchand designs bespoke typographic solutions for brands and institutions seeking to strengthen their visual identity. His research expertise allows him to advise and support both clients and creative teams on typographic history, technology, and concepts.
Minuscule is a typeface designed for very small sizes. Its creation was inspired by the theories of ophthalmologist Emile Javal and his “theory of compact prints” (Physiologie de la lecture et de l’écriture /Physiology of reading and writing, Paris, Alcan, 1905). I initiated this project during my studies at the Atelier national de recherche typographique in 2001-2002, and completed it, designing the italics in 2006–2007 during a residency in the Académie de France in Rome – Villa Médicis.
The font comes in five versions, all optimised for 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2 points. The design evolves progressively as "the size decreases": the spacing and the x-height increase, the contrast decreases, inktraps appear and the design is simplified. The MinUscule 2 is the strangest: “at this size, said Javal, we read most the difference between the letters”. As a consequence, the particularities of each sign are exaggerated, and the secondary details eliminated.
The contrast of the italics is not found in the spacing, almost identical to the roman, but by a more rhythmic design, progressively more lively and broken.
The Minuscule has received a number of awards: Type Directors Club in New York in 2005 (Certificate of excellence in type design); Erik Spiekermann declared it to be the Favourite Font of 2007 in Typographica (http://typographica.org/typeface-reviews/minuscule/ ), and Paul Shaw described it as one of the typefaces of the decade in Print magazine (http://www.printmag.com/imprint/ten-typefaces-of-the-decade/ ). In 2016, a collection of 256 original drawings of the Minuscule were acquired by the Centre national des arts plastiques.
Booksters are books to hang on the wall: the full text of great literature novels are printed on a single poster. Parisian agency Maartin developed the collection, using Minuscule typeface I designed, which is highly legible in very small sizes. They asked me to design one poster, and I chose Gulliver by Jonathan Swift : an obvious choice, which becomes a giant specimen for my typeface. Texts goes from 350 pt to 1 pt size. Poster available at www.thebookstershop.com
Talk given at ENSBA Lyon on November 6, 2018. About ophtalmogy, compact typography, marionnettes and stencils. With Louis-Emile Javal & William Addison Dwiggins, and documents from Bruce Kennett, Eric Kindel and Fred Smeijers. ANRTABCD, Letter D
- Atelier national de recherche typographique, Nancy
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Typeface:
Minuscule
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ANRT
Annual poster for the season 2019-2020 of Les 2 Scènes, in collaboration with Jochen Gerner (illustrations).
- 2019
Les 2 Scènes — Saison
- 2019
Les 2 Scènes — Saison
Annual poster for the season 2019-2020 of Les 2 Scènes, in collaboration with Jochen Gerner (illustrations).
- 2016
Les 2 Scènes — Moire poster
- 2016
Les 2 Scènes — Moire poster
Posters for the season 2015-2016 of Les 2 Scènes. Each copy of the poster is unique : During screen printing, each sheet is slightly offset with each pass, producing a new moiré effect. Another funny game we played with my friends at Lézard graphique.
- 2016
Les 2 Scènes — Orchestre
- 2016
Les 2 Scènes — Orchestre
Posters for the season 2015-2016 of Les 2 Scènes, for the concerts of the Orchestre Victor Hugo Franche-Comté.
Annual poster for the season 2017-2018 of Les 2 Scènes. Developed in augmented reality : the printed poster activate a video and online contents, via a specific app.
Annual poster for the season 2018-2019 of Les 2 Scènes. Developed in augmented reality : the printed poster activate a video and online contents, via a specific app. Selected in Chaumont design graphique festival
- 2019
Les 2 Scènes — Programme
- 2019
Les 2 Scènes — Programme
Annual programme for the season 2019-2020 of Les 2 Scènes, in collaboration with Jochen Gerner (illustrations). 80 p.
- 2015
Les 2 Scènes — Programme
- 2015
Les 2 Scènes — Programme
Annual programme for the season 2015-2016 of Les 2 Scènes. 80 p.
- 2016
Les 2 Scènes — Programme
- 2016
Les 2 Scènes — Programme
Annual programme for the season 2016-2017 of Les 2 Scènes. 80 p.
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