Graphic designers spend their days making a living by solving problems and dealing with clients. Preserving their work for posterity is the last thing on their minds. Drawing on the collections of Letterform Archive — an institution focused entirely on graphic design, lettering, and typography — this talk will explore the delights of process material in teaching students and inspiring designers. It will also explore the challenges of collecting and caring for it, and recommend best practices for today’s designers to preserve their work, including its process.

Saunders gave versions of this talk at the Victoria and Albert Museum during the London Design Festival, and at TYPO Berlin. This is the first time it’s been seen in San Francisco.

The talk will also include an up-to-the-minute report on the Archive’s move to a new home, which — with your support — will open soon.

About Rob Saunders

Rob Saunders is a designer, teacher, publisher, and management consultant, who has collected graphic design and letterforms for over 40 years. Rob began his career teaching at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Tufts University, while serving freelance clients and agencies, before founding a book publishing enterprise that included Alphabet Press (graphic design), Picture Book Studio (children’s books), and Rabbit Ears Books (book/audio packages), which was eventually acquired by Simon & Schuster. Prior to founding Letterform Archive he served as a creative and marketing consultant with clients in the hospitality, technology, and financial industries.