Abstract/Summary

This exhibition explored the design process of the most significant twentieth-century Persian newspaper types, which were designed by the Iranian designer Hossein Haghighi and the British designer Tim Holloway for the Iranian newspapers, Ettela’at and Kayhan. These types, which continue to enjoy immense popularity, have played an instrumental role in defining the identity of contemporary Persian typography and in shaping Iranian typographic taste. In tracking the design process, this exhibition provided a rare opportunity to view the original sketches, finished artwork and trial proofs of these designs alongside their use in widely disseminated publications. Original correspondence and supplementary documentation also displayed reveal information regarding the sources of inspiration for the designs and the impact of different technologies on their development for particular typesetting and printing practices. The majority of the exhibited materials was drawn from the Non-Latin Type Collection at the University of Reading; additional material was generously loaned from the various archives and collections of Monotype Imaging Inc, Providence Public Library, St Bride Library as well as the personal collection of the curators, most of which were exhibited for the first time.