Letterform Archive: A Nonprofit Center for Typography and Design

Letterform Archive is a nonprofit center located in San Francisco, California, dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the letter arts. Founded by Rob Saunders, Letterform Archive provides a unique space for design-curious individuals to explore a curated collection of over 100,000 items. The holdings span thousands of years, encompassing everything from early manuscripts and wood type to modern digital specimens and avant-garde graphic design. The organization’s mission is to share the joy of letters through radical access, allowing visitors to engage directly with historical artifacts. Beyond its physical library and museum in the Dogpatch neighborhood, Letterform Archive serves a worldwide audience through its innovative digital initiatives and publishing arm, Letterform Archive Books. It offers a variety of educational opportunities, including the Type West postgraduate certificate program in typeface design, public workshops, and lectures by industry experts. The Archive is also known for its state-of-the-art photography, which powers an extensive Online Archive, making rare design materials accessible to anyone with an internet connection. By curating exhibitions and hosting community events like salons and lectures, Letterform Archive fosters a vibrant environment where the past and future of design intersect.