Our guest is Betsy Schuster, a type designer and founder of Queer Type, an independent type design studio based in the Detroit area. Originally from suburban Michigan, Betsy discovered his calling in typography after studying graphic design and darkroom photography.
In this episode, Betsy speaks with host Christian Solorzano about his evolution from graphic designer to specialized type designer, exploring how his background in visual storytelling and photography shaped his approach to letterforms. He shares insights about his creative process, from late-night design sessions surrounded by sketches to finding inspiration in everything from handwriting to songwriters like PJ Harvey.
Betsy discusses his recent typeface "Antiphony," released through Future Fonts, and his philosophy of pushing typographic boundaries while maintaining legibility. The conversation explores his expansion beyond fonts into jewelry design and textile work using his grandmother's fabrics, reflecting on how personal history and values inform creative practice.
He opens up about the challenges of having diverse creative interests—from wanting to work with indigenous scripts to exploring fashion and ceramics—while building a focused type design practice.
The episode touches on themes of creative identity, finding your calling, and the intersection of personal values with professional practice in the design world.