Daniel Reed launches DR Foundry, an online platform for his experimental typefaces

Daniel Reed has announced his latest graphic design venture DR Foundry, a platform to “explore, test and purchase Daniel’s original, bold and experimental typefaces,” starting at the reasonable price of £15 for a single weight.

The platform pulls together many of Daniel’s already established typefaces, used across publications, the designer’s own work and utilised by others. Across the Sheffield-based designer’s portfolio, enthusiasm and good fun is always a key counterpart, a rarity in the often strict business that is type design.

An example of this is Plunk “a fun, friendly, bold display typeface inspired by free form and experimental jazz from the early 20th century where musicians would attempt to alter, extend of break down jazz convention,” explains Daniel. Resembling a bubble typeface you’d draw in your textbooks at school, Daniel adds a sophistication to the curvy font through a sunny yellow specimen that displays its careful continuity. “I wanted to create a typeface that didn’t follow the traditional rules of typesetting. For example, having lowercase letters the same height as uppercase combined with varying widths created a playful flow that makes for some unique compositions.”

Launching alongside DR Foundry is a new typeface by the designer, Raymond a bold display serif created in honour of the designer’s late grandfather who served in WWII. Raymond "features sleek delicate curves contrasted with heavy exaggerated serifs, creating a bold yet beautiful typeface suitable for a range of adventurous applications.” In comparison to Plunk, this typeface tells an alternative narrative, showcasing Daniel’s range of graphic design skills. Each letterform, upper or lowercase, pays with structure to create a typeface reminiscent of others, but truly unique. In the designer’s specimen you can also see Daniel’s personal attachment to the project, using thoughtful references of his grandfather’s life.

These typefaces display two examples of Daniel’s typography prowess, featured on his site alongside the personable Sidekick, featuring smiley faces, more the traditional, such as Ivory and the innovative Kong which plays with width. Head over the to newly launched DR Foundry to experiment with Daniel’s work for yourself.