Erik Spiekermann is not a man of many words. So the fact, that he has taken time to put some of his thoughts into words for us, makes a little proud. Erik Spiekermann is a designer, typographer, type designer, author and nothing less than a legend. (Although Erik himself probably wouldn’t agree with that term…) His creative work is second to none and has influenced legions of designers for many years. Together with two partners he founded MetaDesign in 1979 – still one of the most prestigious brand agencies to this day. Many of the fonts designed by Erik have become modern classics, above all FF Meta and ITC Officina. So, what do you ask someone to whom typography is language made visible? Keeping things more personal, we asked him about such things as culinary skills, fears, self-given advice etc. Thank you, Erik. For each and every single letter.

 

Name: Erik Spiekermann
Age: 68
City: Berlin
Job: Designer
Shoe size: 43
Favourite font: Block.
Contact: Yes.

 

What quality do you appreciate in people?
Curiosity.

 

Which album, book, and film should everyone have heard, read and seen?
As many as possible.

 

Which piece of art would you like to call your own?
Malevich’s Black Square.

 

What would you cook for us if we visited you at home?
I would bake a cake.

 

What are you afraid of?
Stupidity. It is what causes most wars.

 

When did you last try something new and what was it?
Today, I ate lebkuchen I made myself. (6.12.)

 

What should no one know about you?
That I can’t play the piano.

 

Which question should we have asked?
Is there life before death?

 

Last Words:
Everything will fall into place.