By Blaze Type
Annual scholarship for type design students
Does the designer clearly explain what they made and why? We look for conscious intention over technical description.
Does the letter give a genuine point of view? Generic letters and skill catalogues are penalized.
Does the specimen show the typeface in varied contexts — body, display, detail? The ability to present one’s own work is a skill in itself.
Are glyphs shown? Weight and axis variations if variable? OpenType features? Incomplete specimens are penalized.
Is there a clear formal, cultural, or conceptual point of view? A strong revival can score high if the angle is sharp. We look for a reason to exist.
Do letters hold together? Is spacing worked? Is the drawing consistent across glyphs? Modest but mastered beats ambitious but sloppy.
Character set covered, weights, variable axes, alternates. Early-stage projects are welcome — we reward vision and declared scope.
Where can this go? We reward imperfect-but-promising over polished-but-finished.
Selection
Jury decision is final. All 5 laureates announced simultaneously.