Among the announced speakers is designer and author Ruben Pater, who in his lecture Design Under Fascism examines how design can reinforce power structures, but also how designers can develop alternatives that support communities. Berlin-based Iranian type designer Golnar Kat Rahmani presents Type & Politics, in which she addresses the negative perceptions surrounding Persian-Arabic typography and its political and social context. Beatriz Lozano speaks about Type as a Tool for Community Power and shows how typography can contribute to community building and social change.
From the perspective of activism and representation, Tré Seals (Vocal Type), Mark Baker-Sanchez (BakerSanchez, Inc.), Michael Ellsworth and Raya Leary (Civilisation) delve deeper into the CHARACTERS: Voices in Type project. In addition, Saki Mafundikwa provides insight into Afrikan Alphabets: The Story of Writing in Africa, and Aneesh Bhoopathy reflects on the recent Zohran Mamdani campaign and the role of design in contemporary political movements. The day kicks off with a live performance by Guido de Boer.
