07/07/2025
Beyond Bézier – Explorations of drawing methods in type design
In the age of early digital type, several methods were explored to draw letterforms. One of them, the Bézier spline, an algorithm that generates curves with a small quantity of data, has the crucial advantage of sparing computer memory. As a result, drawing with Bézier curves became the industry standard.
Beyond Bézier is a research project that aims to question and reevaluate this standard, to move beyond established trends, and to develop innovative, liberating ideas by exploring alternative methods of drawing letterforms.
Throughout the eighteen months of the Beyond Bézier project, the research group has been simultaneously working on five different axes, each covering a different methodology of drawing type: Axis A: The Mathematics, Axis B: The Stroke, Axis C: The Surface, Axis D: The Collective and Axis E: The Robot.
While Axis A and Axis B question traditional ways of creating fonts, mostly looking at the tools and instruments involved, Axis C and Axis D look at who designs, and in which contexts, through collaboration and exchange; and Axis E is transversal.
Researchers: Kai Bernau, Matthieu Cortat-Roller, Radim Peško, Alice Savoie (ECAL) and Micha Wasem, Florence Yerly (HEIA–FR)
Coordination: Raphaela Haefliger, Roland Früh
Design: Nicolas Bernklau
Development: Frederik Mahler-Andersen
Video and sound recording and editing: Giacomo Bastianelli
Director of ECAL: Alexis Georgacopoulos
Head of Research and Development: Davide Fornari
Head of ECAL Master in Type Design: Matthieu Cortat-Roller
Organised by ECAL (University of Art and Design Lausanne) and HEIA-FR (Haute école d’ingénierie et d’architecture de Fribourg) and has been supported by HES-SO, Réseau de Compétences Design et Arts Visuels.
11/04/2025
14/01/2025
21/11/2023
23/02/2023
05/08/2022
08/06/2022
01/11/2021
05/07/2021
20/01/2021
15/08/2020
12/05/2020
01/07/2019
04/05/2019
22/11/2018
17/01/2018
10/10/2017
25/11/2016
02/09/2016
16/07/2016
24/01/2016
05/12/2015
03/09/2015
05/01/2015
23/11/2014
26/10/2014
22/10/2014
28/08/2014
10/08/2014
17/06/2014
09/03/2014
26/01/2014
16/09/2013
04/08/2013
08/05/2013
15/04/2013
09/11/2012
06/06/2012
12/03/2012
07/10/2011
01/07/2011
26/04/2011
07/04/2011
14/03/2011
07/02/2011
08/01/2011
15/12/2010
15/10/2010
03/10/2010
16/07/2010
18/05/2010
02/05/2010
24/04/2010
04/04/2010
30/01/2010
05/01/2010