Christian Schwartz
Designer, Type Designer, Founder
About
Type designer and partner at Commercial Type, leading its New York office. His collaboration with Paul Barnes includes the typeface system developed for The Guardian.
SourceIn their own words
Type defines voice, shapes perception, and builds trust.
We knew each other a bit before but quickly bonded over shared interests, especially pop music.
It's always been important to us that our type specimens can be read in addition to being looked at.
He's a great designer who does work we love, and we've worked together enough to know he would be able to take our vague but ambitious ideas and synthesize them into something wonderful.
We knew each other a bit before but quickly bonded over shared interests, especially pop music.
It's always been important to us that our type specimens can be read in addition to being looked at.
He's a great designer who does work we love, and we've worked together enough to know he would be able to take our vague but ambitious ideas and synthesize them into something wonderful.
Foundry websites have taken on the role that specimen books used to play for graphic designers.
The best way to experience it is to hold it in your hands, but we definitely worked to make a book that people can enjoy on several different levels.
The initial request was deceptively simple – a light-touch update that retains the essence of the original.
Articles & interviews
- Type Foundry Launches Brand Studio After 20 Years
Creative Boom reports that Commercial Type, the acclaimed type foundry behind work for brands like The Guardian and Puma, has launched a new branding studio called Commercial Type Studio. Founded by Christian Schwartz and Paul Barnes with creative director Dino Sanchez, the studio aims to build brand identities rooted in typography. The article explores their philosophy, early projects, and how a type-first approach sets them apart from traditional agencies.
- "Commercial Type Launches 'Double Acts in Pop' Visual Journal"
Creative Boom reports on Commercial Type’s new book, 'Double Acts in Pop', a 272-page visual journal combining music and typography. Designed by Chris Wu and written by Molly Lambert, the book showcases the foundry’s entire type library while exploring famous musical duos. The project emphasizes tactile print design and the narrative potential of type specimens.
- "Commercial Type Unveils 'Double Acts in Pop' Visual Journal"