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Gestalten Fonts is happy to announce the release of Generell TW by Mika Mischler. The idea for this font was inspired by a discussion Mika had with another designer about the flow between glyphs. In attempting to create a font in which the visual definition of each glyph flows to the next one, the Italic version of Generell TW was born. Later, the alphabet was completed and other weights were added to create the Generell TW version available here - a somehow classic typewriter font with a strong visual edge.

Hailing from Bern Switzerland, Michael Mischler is a graduate of Schule für Gestaltung Biel where he studied Graphic Design. One of the first graphic designers and editors at Gestalten, Mischler conceived, edited, and designed over 20 publications on various subjects in graphic design, typography, and visual culture throughout his time in Berlin at the publishing house between 1998 and 2006. Mischler co-founded Gestalten Fonts in 2003 and continues to scout out fresh typography talent for the foundry. In 2006, together with Nik Thönen, he also founded the independent font platform Binnenland.ch. He currently lives and works in Bern.

www.binnenland.ch

More fonts by Mika Mischler

A short description about you and or the company you work for?
Typography has been getting more important in my work. Most of the time, the choice of typography is the first visual decision that has to be made; it is like the starting point in a new project. That’s how I developed a lot of fonts or font-experiments.
To me, good solutions have to be able to grow.

What is your direction in graphic design? How would you characterize your style?
Graphic design is a question of the content and its visualisation. Styles are defined by the individual work and styles are changed according to the times.

Place of work
Berne, Switzerland

Can you give us a short description about the font?
Generell TW is a typewriter font with a strong visual character. It’s playful and based on a simple grid in the background. Just check it out!

Why did you design this font?
I was working with Niklaus Thönen on another typography project and we often had this discussion about the flow between the glyphs. We wanted the visual definition of each glyph to flow to the next glyph. This was the starting point for doing some simple tests. It was really more of an exercise. I did some sketches and I started to build a grid based on three different circles. The idea was to design all of the glyphs with the same shape and to "visualise" this flow – somehow like a script font without being a script font. Suddenly, a font was born: the Italic version of Generell TW. But I never thought to finish the alphabet and was never thinking about other weights…

What is the ideal usage of your font?
Generell TW is somehow a classic typewriter font. It is a perfect fit wherever this mood is wanted.

Do you design your fonts by hand, or directly on the computer?
I usually just use my sketchbook to do some fast scribbles; but they are more to hold the ideas on paper so that they don’t get lost. When I start working on a font project in earnest, I start to work directly on the computer. But in the beginning the computer is not important; it's just another instrument like the pencil.

Does developing a typeface start with the character (the individual letter) or are there intermediate stages in which a kind of rhythm develops?
It is a ping-pong.

Can you explain what makes you choose a typeface? Or which typefaces catch your eye as something special?
The font certainly has to fit with the content. But another important aspect is that you can identify with the font or you like the font. Otherwise it is hard to work with the font and to create good typography.

Your future plans?
Working with other designers, which can bring you further in your own design.