4th May 2016

Monotype x Alan Kitching: A film by Zetteler & Dunn

– by Milly Burroughs

The passionate font specialists at Monotype have teamed up with typographic hero Alan Kitching to bring his personal brand of graphic style to an exclusive range of limited edition products celebrating John L Walters’ new book and touring exhibition, Alan Kitching: A Life in Letterpress. Having kicked off at Somerset House’s Pick Me Up festival last week, the exhibition will surface in Suffolk, Manchester, Middlesbrough and Glasgow between now and February 2017.

In anticipation of the exhibition’s launch, Monotype joined Alan Kitching and John L Walters in Alan’s Kennington studio to talk collaborations, exclusive merchandise and the importance of a designer’s apron. In a film produced by Zetteler & Dunn we see Alan and John reminiscing about the humble beginnings of their long-standing relationship and the beauty of one off production.

Navigating his studio with minimal thought, and a grace only found among creatives who truly live their process as part of everyday life, Alan guides us through the story behind each piece of merchandise he has produced with Monotype and expresses his amusement at the changing face of collaborations and the graphic design industry.

“Well I’ve been lucky, but then of course you make your own luck, don’t you?” says Alan when probed by John about his feelings towards having the opportunity to showcase his back catalogue of work in a book and exhibition.

Exclusive to Monotype and Alan Kitching, the printer’s apron, cloth-bound sketchbook and wooden letters postcard book are available to purchase at every stop on the exhibition tour and from the Monotype shop right now.