Mesrob & Yacob: the story of the Armenian alphabet

ATypI is a professional organisation founded in 1957. Their annual conference is the main international forum for designers and researchers in the field of type and typographic design to come together to discuss creative ideas; dissemination of research; issues of history and context and technological developments. Abstracts of papers are peer reviewed by a panel of international experts. In Puzzovio’s 45-minute presentation entitled: ‘Mesrob & Yacob – The Story of the Armenian alphabet’, alphabetic forms are traced from the fifth century AD to the present from pen-drawn variations – illustrated with Puzzovio’s collected photographs of rare manuscripts held in archives – through to the printed word, with examples of the types cut by renaissance and later punchcutters in Europe, to examples of novel 20th century lettering and digital type today. Digest of evidence: printed conference proceedings; website screen shots; photographs from event; CD-ROM/lecture transcript, Website. Puzzovio was later invited to speak at The Typographic Circle, London, November 2005 by its Chair: Bruno Maag of Dalton Maag, a well-known London design consultancy. The Typographic Circle is a professional organisation of British graphic designers, typographers and type designers. Entitled: ‘Meet the Armenian’: a 45-minute presentation which explained the importance of the Armenian alphabet to the Armenian diaspora, literature and therefore culture of the country. It introduced the audience to the alphabet’s forms, history and development and showed many examples of the myriad ways the alphabet is used today – using illustrations which were Puzzovio’s own photographs taken in Yerevan in October 2005. Digest of evidence: printed poster for the event; copy of Powerpoint slides; text of the lecture. Website: http://www.fontzone.com/?mode=article&id=6tfvarTs45BXbGYuuARh As a result of these 2 lectures, Carolyn has been asked to write an article for the ‘Fontzone’ website http://www.fontzone.com