Typo Circle reveals new logo and set to launch 40th anniversary exhibition

The Typo Circle, an organisation which has seen talks from designers including Saul Bass and Alan Fletcher, will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a poster exhibition and new logo.

The exhibition, based at London’s Protein Gallery, will feature roughly 60 posters from past speakers. For every talk that has taken place as part of the organisation, an A1 poster on G.F. Smith paper has previously been designed, either by the designer themselves, or by Typo Circle’s organisers.

It will also feature the organisation’s collection of circulars: Typo Circle’s annual magazine designed by Pentagram partner Domenic Lippa, which includes interviews, profiles and designers’ work.

The exhibition design will be “simple” and gallery-style, says Alan Dye, co-founder at NB Studio and chairman at Typo Circle, of 18 posters wide and three posters deep.

“There will be an eclectic mix of posters. Some will be four posters to one frame, as they used to be A3 size. It’ll include ones devoted to talks by Creative Review’s Patrick Burgoyne, Michael Wolff, Unit Editions – we’ve had them all.”

Alongside “big-name” designers, Typo Circle talks have also included “up-and-coming” creatives, says Dye, and these posters will be included too.

Alongside the exhibition, the organisation has also unveiled a new logo, which has been designed by NB Studio and Studio Sutherl&, alongside typography by Bruno Maag.

The new logo replaces the original one created by Tim Fendley, and places more emphasis on the “O” in “Typo” with a more prominent, solid circle shape.

Alan Dye, co-founder at NB Studio, says it is a “simple, little logo, with a typeface based on Futura”.

Alongside the exhibition, there will be a collector’s book published, which will detail the history of the organisation, and will be printed on G.F. Smith Colorplan paper.

The exhibition space and book have been designed by NB Studio, John Bateson and Studio Sutherl&.

The book will include words by Lynda Relph-Knight and research by designer Sallyanne Theodosiou, alongside images of the circular series and the 40 “best” Typo Circle posters, says Dye.

Other collectables will be on show at the exhibition, including badges and tote bags.

The Typo Circle 40th Year Exhibition runs from 21-23 October at Protein Gallery, 31 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3EY.

Entry is free, but the collectable book costs £40. Following the exhibition, there will be an auction of the posters at roughly £10 per poster, which is yet to be announced.