Twig Incoming, Published in a Book, Design Sweets and Music Obsessions
Marmite Defontes newsletter #17
Good day people,
It’s been a while. I actually started writing this edition in June… As you can guess, Summer and Fall have been busy for me. The foundry is not dormant, but the rhythm was super slow. You may not all know, but Marmite Defontes is not a full-time activity. Four days a week, I’m working as a designer in a digital agency. The rest of my work time is spent on self-initiated type design projects and a bit of freelance work. And freelance has overtaken the fonts over the last few months. Two branding projects and one illustration gig made working on typefaces very irregular. But there is a couple of news on the glyph front. Enjoy the ride!
Here’s the menu
- Twig is Almost Cooked
- Marmite Defontes in a Book
- Design Nuggets
- Music Obssession
Reading time: ±3 minutes
Twig is Almost cooked!
The initial release window for the Twig family was around July. So naive of me… 😆 Next window was in October. Second mirage. So, Twig will be released soon-ish. The character set is almost done (let’s say 90%) and after that there is kerning and quality control. So I’m not announcing a release date, but you’ll get for sure a newsletter warning.
Here are some preview images of this variable and 5 weights family.
Marmite Defontes in a Book
It was a project on Kickstarter, but it failed to get founded… Then Elliot secured a publisher, the project was resurrected. The project flight under the radar this summer and… And now it’s official and you can pre-order it. Yee-haw!
Tip: If you decide to pre-order the book, you will receive immediate access to the essay from John Boardley on the first type specimens. That’s not all. The first 250 participants will receive a sticker sheet and a signed bookplate from Elliot.
Being published as a foundry was part of my goal for 2025. At least I can check this one off the list. It is a super satisfying feeling and another motivation to have ones work printed on paper. Can’t wait to have it in my mailbox and to discover the work of the other selected type foundries.
Design Nuggets
1️⃣ Yummy Hamburgefonstiv
A type specimen that’s using the Hamburger as a metaphor? Hold my beer! Contrast Foundry (CoFo for short) cooked us a super publication with The Office of Ordinary Things studio to showcase how to pair fonts from their catalogue. So good!
2️⃣ An Optimist's Guide to the Planet
In this 12-episode series, actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau meets people across the globe that run projects with sustainability at the core. You might have seen him in Game of Thrones, and this time, no fancy costumes or battlefields. Simple and inspiring conversations about what we can do to move towards a more desirable and brighter future. It reminded me of the documentary “The Need to Grow”. Happy watching.
3️⃣ Welcome Double Type!
The French studio Brand Brothers launched their type foundry. It is called Double Type and it regroups font creations that are born from the studio’s branding projects. Creative, display, unexpected, funky and charming fonts. Everything I love.
Music Obssession
1️⃣ Post Malone covers “Them Bones (Live on the Stern Show)” — 2023
This is a cover from Alice in Chains. The acoustic setup and the presence of the choir on top of the raspy voice of Post Malone make it bright and heavy at the same time. The original song is good, but this cover tops it easily.
2️⃣ KARDI(카디) - Not But Disco — 2025
Confession: I clicked on this video because of the striking yellow thumbnail. The mood of this track is super catchy and pumped with energy. The presence of the traditional Geomungo (Korean zither/harp) brings a nice twist to the band’s sound. K-pop Rock for the win!
3️⃣ Arctic Monkeys “Sculptures of Anything Goes” — 2022
It’s been a while since I found some excitement in one of their albums. But here, there is a gem in the middle of the tracklist. The rhythm is raw and haunting, the melody is eerie with nostalgic synth layers. And Alex Turner delivers an impeccable distribution of sharp and enigmatic lyrics.
4️⃣ La Fine Équipe (20syl & Kafutchino) “Kouign Amann” — 2014
Easy to listen to. Obvious to go back to. And a delicious dessert from Brittany. Here are the main ingredients: 32% flour, 26% salted butter, 26% sugar, 14.7% water, 1.3% fresh yeast, a pinch of salt and funky deep beats from 20syl. Served warm.
Until next year, have a great holiday season ✨
Guillaume