TypeCon2010: Babel

Become a Member of SOTA

Thursday, January 21 2:26 pm by James Grieshaber

It is time once again to become a member, or renew your membership, of the Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA). In addition to receiving the typical benefits like conference discounts and publications, SOTA members have a unique opportunity to get truly involved with the organization and the community we serve.

Members are welcome to propose venues and programming for future TypeCons and other events. Members are also encouraged to generate ideas for public awareness campaigns, educational efforts, fund raising activities, other events and entities to support, broadening cultural diversity, and more. And be on the look-out for more online exclusive members only content coming soon.

View a full list of membership levels and benefits here.

Individual Membership Levels
$75—1 year Aficionado (regular) membership
$30—1 year Student membership
$250—1 year Champion (sustaining) membership

Corporate Membership Levels
$500—Roman (includes 2 memberships for employees)
$1000—Italic (includes 4 memberships for employees)
$2000—Titling (includes 8 memberships for employees)

And you can even add a tax-deductible donation of any amount.

New members can can join here.

Or renew your membership here, by clicking already joined.

If you would like to pay with a check, please send your Name, Address, City, State, and Zip, Phone Number, and Email Address, and make checks payable to:

Jon Coltz/SOTA Treasurer
3917 York Ave N
Robbinsdale, MN 55422

SOTA is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization. We rely on the support and involvement of our members to accomplish our mission. Your participation is essential to the continued growth and usefulness of SOTA. We want to let you know how much we value your continued support for this vital community organization and how important your support is to its ongoing success.

TypeCon2009 Web Fonts Panel

Monday, July 20 4:12 pm by Shu Lai

There was an epic panel on Web Fonts at TypeCon2009. We are going to prepare and upload the video online, but for now we have the complete unedited audio for your listening, sharing and embedding enjoyment.

TypeCon2010 announced for Los Angeles

Sunday, July 19 1:28 pm by tamye

SOTA is super excited to be bringing TypeCon2010 to the great city of Los Angeles. Conference hotel and headquarters is the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency. Mark your calendars for August 17-22, 2010!

Dutch Design Legend Gerard Unger Wins 2009 SOTA Typography Award

Saturday, July 18 2:07 pm by tamye

The Society of Typographic Aficionados (SOTA) has announced that Dutch type designer, author, and educator Gerard Unger has been honored with the 2009 SOTA Typography Award. The presentation took place on Friday, July 17, 2009, at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, as part of TypeCon2009.

Read the rest of this entry »

Pre-Conference Workshop Check-In and Locations

Wednesday, July 15 3:59 am by tamye

Those attendees pre-registered for optional workshops (Wednesday and Thursday) may check in at their workshop location(s) with or without a TypeCon2009 badge. All attendees must bring valid government-issued photo identification.
Read the rest of this entry »

Ron Moore Script Lettering Demo at Creative Circus

Tuesday, July 14 9:18 pm by tamye

Nice opening for TypeCon: Ron Moore showing how to flourish! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vN0fdVi_rc

Shots from the Con

Tuesday, July 14 9:12 pm by Shu Lai

Images of TypeCon are going to start filtering in pretty soon. We will be highlighting some of the best ones as they come up. As a teaser here is a picture of Shu and Jimmy G enjoying some Fat Matt's World Famous Ribs.

TwitterCon Returns

Tuesday, July 14 8:24 pm by Shu Lai

Those who Twitter can chime in on the communal chatter of fellow attendees by using the hashtag #TypeCon, and follow the official TypeCon Twitter feed for breaking news throughout the conference. For those who don’t Twitter (or haven’t a clue what I’m muttering about), this blog is still the place to get conference news, but twitters are quick, timely bits that will be sent directly to your mobile phone, iPhone, or other personal communications device as soon as they’re posted. Have a look.

Free Wi-Fi at the Grand Hyatt

Monday, July 13 11:58 pm by Shu Lai

One of the perks of being a TypeCon attendee and staying at the Hyatt is free wi-fi in your room. All you have to do is "charge" the regular fee to your room through your browser of choice and it will automatically be zeroed out when you check out. Easy.

Buses to the Creative Circus

Monday, July 13 11:19 pm by Shu Lai

TypeCon's first special event kicks off at the Creative Circus Tuesday night. Attendees staying at the Grand Hyatt get free bus rides from the hotel. Bus leaves at 6:45pm sharp at the lower lobby level across from the parking garage.

Meet by the doors just off the elevators on lower lobby level at 6:30 pm to make sure you get your seat on the bus.

Eat Like a Local

Sunday, July 12 5:37 pm by Shu Lai

Straight from our local team here on the ground, here is a google map version of the printed restaurant guide you will receive when you arrive at TypeCon. They have picked out a varying selection of nearby eateries. Enjoy and eat well.

TypeCon2009 Restaurant Guide

Getting to TypeCon From the Airport

Sunday, July 12 9:05 am by tamye

There are several different ways to get to the conference hotel, the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, from the airport.

MARTA
If you have only a small amount of luggage, taking the train (MARTA) is super inexpensive and speedy. Travelers can board the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train within the airport. Train fare is $1.75. Service runs from 5-1:30am on weekdays and 5:30-1:00am on weekends. Trains depart every four to five minutes weekdays and every 10-15 minutes on weekends. Grand Hyatt Atlanta guests should board the Northbound train (N to North Springs). Exit at the Buckhead Station N7 onto Peachtree Road S. The hotel is one block away - an easy walk. Upon arrival at the Buckhead Station N7, Hyatt guests may opt to call 404-237-1234 to request pick-up from the hotel's courtesy car.

Map of MARTA's airport station

SHUTTLE
The Atlanta Link is the exclusive shuttle service running to and from the airport. Rates to Buckhead are $20.50 one way or $37 roundtrip. Service operates from 6 am-12 midnight. For more information or reservations, call 404-524-3400 or visit http://www.theatlantalink.com/. After 5pm EST, call 404-392-6402 for assistance. You can book your return trip to the airport through the Hyatt concierge.

TAXI
Flat rate for one way trip from the airport to the Hyatt is $40 for the first person, and $2 for each additional passenger. The trip will usually take 35-45 minutes, but be take longer depending on traffic. Just as in any major city, be sure to get into licensed cabs only - "gypsy" cabs are a rip-off and unsafe!

OTHER OPTIONS
There are tons of rental car companies at the airport should you choose to go that route. The place you rent your car will provide you with a map and driving directions. There are also limos and other types of shuttles. Visit this page for more info on ground transportation: http://www.atlanta-airport.com/groundtransportation

Get Your Typeface Reviewed by the Masters

Wednesday, July 8 5:40 pm by tamye

Get that new typeface ready for review! It's become a tradition - Matthew Carter, John Downer, and Akira Kobayashi will once again donate their time and expertise to lead their famous Type Critique sessions during TypeCon. As a bonus this year, Gerard Unger will join our trio as a special guest "critter." These masters of the craft will offer gentle, constructive criticism to eight designers submitting a single type design for review.
TypeCon2009 Type Critique Sessions
Read the rest of this entry »

Call for Submissions: TypeCon2009 speaker Will Hill's new book

Wednesday, July 8 5:30 pm by tamye

This is your invitation to submit work to be featured in "The Complete Typographer" (3rd edition) by Will Hill (Quarto Publishing plc).
Read the rest of this entry »

TypeCon2009 Tweets on Twitter

Thursday, July 2 5:13 am by tamye

Follow our frequent updates on Twitter to get more involved in TypeCon2009's daily happenings and musings. Retweet and spread the word about TypeCon2009 and help us pass on loads of other cool type and design tidbits. http://twitter.com/TypeCon

You're Special (So Special) at TypeCon2009

Thursday, July 2 5:08 am by tamye

TypeCon2009 attendees will be treated to a variety of special events in Atlanta. When you register for the conference, be sure to RSVP to these terrific bonus occasions, designed so that you will learn and have fun while networking like crazy.

Read the rest of this entry »

Call For Submissions: TypeGallery2009 - Deadline July 13, 2009

Friday, June 19 5:21 pm by tamye

SOTA is presenting its ninth unjuried showcase of new typeface design at TypeCon2009. This show is part of an international exhibition of type, graphic design, and special exhibits that will be on display at the conference.

Typefaces shown at TypeCon2009 will eventually become part of an online showcase at http://www.typegallery.com, and many works will travel internationally after the conference. Some works may also be selected for print publication by SOTA.

Please visit the TypeGallery website for complete details and to download submission forms.

New System is Ready!

Wednesday, June 17 12:17 am by tamye

We've just launched the new TypeCon and SOTA member registration system, powered by RegOnline. We've extended early registration so that you can have time to play with the new tools. Please let us know if you have any issues or questions during registration. We're almost done with schedule - lots of info that is in the new reg system, but we're also getting it posted to this site ASAP. Thank you for your patience during this transition!

Register for SOTA Membership online
(Do your SOTA membership first, then you can register right away for TypeCon with your member discount)

Register for TypeCon online

Become a TypeCon2009 Sponsor - It's Good For You and Everyone in Our Community!

Thursday, May 14 3:09 pm by tamye

Have you ever considered sponsoring TypeCon? Well, consider this your invitation. A sponsorship of TypeCon, at any level, goes a long way toward supporting the conference and fostering a robust typographic community.

Read the rest of this entry »

TypeCon2009 Registration Delayed, But Coming Soon!

Tuesday, May 5 2:39 am by tamye

PLEASE NOTE: We are moving TypeCon2009 registration and SOTA membership to a new system. This is taking a little more time than we had anticipated. Rest assured, you will have plenty of time to register at the early bird rate. Please make sure you are signed up for the TypeCon email newsletter or add our RSS feed to get the news first when registration goes live. Thank you for your patience!

TypeCon2009 Mixer Set for April 15

Thursday, April 9 5:29 am by tamye

SOTA's going to be on location in Atlanta to meet with local crew to finalize the TypeCon2009 program and extracurricular activities. We are always looking for volunteers and brainstormers from all walks of typographic, design, book arts, and lettering fields.
Read the rest of this entry »

SOTA Honors Gerrit Noordzij in Den Haag

Friday, March 6 9:31 pm by tamye

SOTA traveled to Den Haag (The Hague) in The Netherlands to honor the great Dutch designer Gerrit Noordzij, the winner of the SOTA Typography Award for 2008. Read the rest of this entry »

Rugen's Report

Monday, August 4 6:45 am by Stephen Coles

TypeCon regular Chris Rugen offers a detailed and illustrated report of his TypeCon2008 experience. Know of other written reviews? Shoot us a mail and we'll post 'em here.

Hillary Loves TypeCon

Saturday, August 2 12:07 pm by Simon Daniels

“I am pleased to welcome all of the TypeCon delegates from all over the world who are gathered for your 10th annual conference.” Read the rest from Hillary Rodham Clinton, United States Senator, over at Flickr. Thanks Stewf for uploading.

A Day to Remember

Friday, August 1 6:14 pm by Simon Daniels

The TypeCon Flickr group continues to slowly fill up. And amongst the pics you occasionally hit upon a gem like this one with a story attached.

This is TypeCon!

Wednesday, July 23 7:50 pm by Simon Daniels

The National Post sent a reporter down for the day. Here's her report. She nailed it. She totally nailed it. Maybe.