Matthew Carter: My life in typefaces

Pick up a book, magazine or screen, and more than likely you'll come across some typography designed by Matthew Carter. In this charming talk, the man behind typefaces such as Verdana, Georgia and Bell Centennial (designed just for phone books — remember them?), takes us on a spin through a career focused on the very last pixel of each letter of a font.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[JeremyDooley]

These people are not worthy. They have no idea how much this man shaped their world.

[plan]

Knowing the differences between bad, good, and great typography is truly an artform within itself.

[zwete]

If you know your typography, this man is an absolute legend.

[LS-uuzd]

How fortunate we are to live in a time with Sir Matthew Carter, and how fortunate society is to have his work.  A brilliant man, a brilliant speech.  Thank you, TED.

[lordberly]

Verdana is a masterpiece. A timeless classic.

[addaald]

Beautiful stylish old man that made beautiful stylish typefaces. I enjoied his speech and his modest humor. Thanks for the talk.

[herzogsbuick]

I've enjoyed few TED talks as much as this one

[ChristianJiang]

This audience should be 100 times more interested. I wish I could’ve been there

[parkavenue]

Listening to this talk by Matthew Carter, a name formerly unknown to me, is a treasure to me! What a charming, interesting and intelligent person! Thank you so very much for allowing me the chance to become acquainted with him! Your video is a door leading me, into this design world. I only just saw the most exquisite Japanese style English typeface on the front of a magazine and was struggling with what or how to keep it...or Even if I should keep it. After listening to this talk, it has clarified why I did and should have fallen so in love with what I now see is really art.

[Faygris]

Wow, he also made Tahoma. I love this guy! :)

[RenateBlaes]

Informativer und unterhaltsamer Vortrag. Danke!
PS: Ich liebe die Beschäftigung mit Schriften. Mein Typo-Lehrer war Günter Gerhard Lange, der Typografie-Papst Deutschlands. Ihm habe ich viel zu verdanken, was den Umgang mit Schrift betrifft.

[srimansrini]

Calligraphy is one of the fascinating subjects to study and observe. Undoubtedly he is a great designer who invented some of the monumental fonts. The audio quality is not up to the mark, otherwise, it's an excellent talk.

[faithinverity]

Designing a typeface requires enormous amounts of talent and rigor. Designing a useful typeface is many times more difficult. And designing multiple, useful typefaces is super-human.

[carolcheny]

As a font freak myself, I am so excited and anxious, I can't even watch this video in one sitting. 

[BraidyAM]

Verdana is my favorite typeface ever! is so beatiful!

[steveb]

Absolutely fascinating! I could've listened to him all day.

[lorenxo]

It's sad that the audience doesn't appreciate typography, or they would've been much livelier. 

[theIris]

I'm watching this for a web course and not particularly interested, but I'm glad to see that so many people are.

[Groaznic]

He forgot to mention that only 2 years ago god damn Ikea switched to Verdana for all their marketing material across the globe.

[imani]

Wait, this guy made Verdana? what a legend!