David Berlow on the future of typography

Monotype fonts collage
(Image credit: Monotype)

Known as the godfather of type, David Berlow began his career in 1978 creating letters for the Haas, Mergenthaler, Linotype and Stempel type foundries. In 1989, he founded the The Font Bureau  along with designer Roger Black, and created typefaces for big tech brands such as Apple Computer Inc and Google Inc, as well as for editorial heavyweights such as The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Esquire Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. 

Recently, Monotype acquired 39 type families created by Berlow, including classics such as Belizio, Bureau-Grot and the Poynter series. We caught up with Berlow to find out about the thinking behind this decision, as well as chat with him about the future of fonts, his type heroes and how he created fonts for Apple.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Rosie Hilder

Rosie Hilder is Creative Bloq's Deputy Editor. After beginning her career in journalism in Argentina – where she worked as Deputy Editor of Time Out Buenos Aires – she moved back to the UK and joined Future Plc in 2016. Since then, she's worked as Operations Editor on magazines including Computer Arts, 3D World and Paint & Draw and Mac|Life. In 2018, she joined Creative Bloq, where she now assists with the daily management of the site, including growing the site's reach, getting involved in events, such as judging the Brand Impact Awards, and helping make sure our content serves the reader as best it can. 

Read more
man with glasses and a pale shirt on a yellow sofa
"There's incredible typographic variety right now", Charles Nix reflects on type in 2025
font created by Monotype - 'creativity on the move'
"AI will take work, it will probably not take jobs, at least not immediately," says leading typographer Charles Nix
Section of Saul Bass poster for Hitchock's Vertigo showcasing his distinctive lettering
The best typography of the 1950s, as chosen by experts
Bifur by A M Cassandre
The best typography of the 1920s – from Futura to Industria Gravur
Albertus ampersand variations
The best typography of the 1930s
Posters for Star Wars, Star Trek and Here Comes the Devil
The best typography of the 1970s, as chosen by experts
Latest in Fonts & Typography
Monotype quiz
What's your type? Take this font quiz to find your soulmate
image of the two co-founders of Colophon
"The type industry is at a crossroads", says Anthony Sheret
Monotype trends report 2024
Monotype reveals the hottest typography trends of 2024
Tesla Model S
Yes, Tesla really just recalled all of its cars over a font
Fonts interacting
Viral TikTok video hilariously imagines fonts hanging out
Wonka logo
'Seeing the responses has been really uplifting': How we made the Wonka movie typography
Latest in Features
Wax Heads; a digital illustration depicts a young woman holding a record, surrounded by a variety of displayed items in a store
How Wax Heads hand-drawn 'cosy-punk' aesthetic was made using Godot
Tesla logo
The history of the Tesla logo: from car badge to global tech brand
Nintendo and AI art; a vibrant illustration showcases a large group of popular video game characters, seemingly from the Mario franchise
Mario and Zelda creator rejects AI to "find what makes Nintendo special" – what we can all learn from Shigeru Miyamoto
Joshua Blum and Han West
'Communication is paramount in any creative partnership’: a day in the life Joshua Blum and Han West
Selection of Guinness ads throughout the ages
The best Guinness adverts of all time – from the toucan to a singing pint
Tina Touli headshot
"The 9 to 5 work routine was draining my creativity”: a day in the life of Tina Touli