Stefan Hattenbach was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1961. Although he’s moved around a lot, with longer stays in Budapest (1993–94) and San Francisco (2005–06), he’s been faithful and has always returned to Stockholm. At the age of eighteen, he graduated from high school determined to work in the advertising industry. Determined and done! In 1980 he began at his first agency, later moving on to Ted Bates and other agencies. In 1993, Stefan began work as an art director with Ted Bates and McCann Erickson in Budapest. Back in Stockholm in 1994, he decided to start his own company, MAC Rhino, and change his focus from advertising to graphic design. A year later, he had began to experiment with Fontographer, and in 1996 released his first typeface, New Global. This was the start of a new career as a type designer. Since 2008, Stefan has been working full time with custom type for scores of companies, producing more than sixty custom and commercial typefaces.
digital designs for what became Fell Type Premium. Right: Promotional poster for Fell Type Premium
Why Type Design?
One thing leads to another, and I should give credit too to my mother! During my childhood, she brought me along to visit art galleries and the Modern Museum of Art in Stockholm. The latter, made an especially strong impression on me. This made me want to work in advertising. But after fourteen years, I needed a change. This led me to graphic design and, later on, to type design. Making my first typeface made me realize that type design was — and still is — my true passion. I’m 100% convinced that I will enjoy designing typefaces for the rest of my life.
I’m still very happy to have made this journey, as everything connects and complements each other. Thanks to my time in advertising, I know how to market myself. And thanks to my years as a graphic designer, I now understand the importance of typefaces in creating great designs. It also makes it a lot easier to produce real type specimens.
What do you like best and least about designing type?
Best: It’s always exciting to have a new idea and then come to the realization that it will indeed work. When the design fits together letter by letter and also as a complete family with an even color, it’s a remarkably satisfying feeling. That also goes for seeing the final result working as planned in a real-life application.
Graphic design and typefaces by Stefan Hattenbach.
Least: The technical aspect of a typeface. Kerning is brutal and time-consuming but of course crucially important for the end result. It’s just a thing you have to work through to make everything look and work just right. Thankfully, the technical issues for Microsoft programs, like hinting, etc., are somewhat smoother now.
For someone new to type design, what advice would you give them?
Let your typeface rest for a while after you’ve made the base (upper- and lowercase and numerals). Then pick up your project again with fresh eyes and be hard on yourself. Keep on going with improved ideas, if needed. When you are done and happy, be sure to ”stress test” the typeface in different sizes and various graphic expressions. One often overlooked problem is the overall blackness or color of the design. Make sure it’s even.
What would you be doing if you were not a type designer?
Architecture has always fascinated me. I love Jugendstil buildings. They are almost always masterpieces.
What do you do when you’re not designing type?
Besides spending time with family and friends, music, as a former DJ, is an important part of my life. I’m always surrounded by music. And it’s there while I work too, of course — often loud! Fine wine and food is also a good treat for the body and soul. Traveling and sailing are also both a must. My many trips to Rome, beginning in the 80’s, eventually made me a ”Romanista” (a supporter of the football team AS Roma). The passion for football in Rome runs very deep. Being a Romanista is being part of a big family. My travels and interest for photography have also grown my collection of typography-related pictures. Wherever I go, I see funny, beautiful and inspirational type. I call my collection ”Found Type,” and I occasionally share it on Instagram.