What is the current state of type design? Which typographic ideas are being developed in today’s master’s programmes? The Mastering Type pop-up exhibition at the Kulturforum presents a selection of the exceptional typeface designs originating in international master’s programmes over the last ten years.

Since 2016, around 350 new typefaces have emerged from those master’s programmes, each displayed on an individual poster. The exhibition presents a large selection of these from the past nine years, along with work from 2026. Admission is free.

The presentation is complemented by “process books” that provide insights into the conception, design and development of a typeface. For two days, the exhibition hall will be transformed into a walk-in, three-dimensional typographical space.

The exhibition is accompanied by a series of lectures held on 25 April 2026.

Type Design Today

Type Design coursework is a specialised programme teaching students how to design typefaces. Locations renowned for this course of study include TypeMedia Den Haag (Netherlands), Écal Lausanne (Switzerland), Nancy (France), Amiens (France), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Reading (United Kingdom) and TypeParis (Switzerland). Final projects for the degree feature the designed typefaces on a 60 x 124 cm poster, alongside a process book documenting the underlying concept, ideas and work steps. The exhibition title “Mastering Type” alludes to the qualification achieved: a specialised master’s in graphic design, while also referring to the mastery of typeface design.

Mastering Type

Mastering Type is a series of exhibitions and events showcasing new typeface designs from international master’s programmes in type design. The series is organised by Lucas de Groot, a graphic designer and lecturer at the Fachhochschule Potsdam (University of Applied Sciences), in collaboration with Typostammtisch Berlin, a monthly meeting of type designers. In 2026, the series celebrates its tenth anniversary with a special presentation at the Kulturforum.

A special exhibition of the Kunstbibliothek (Art Library) – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin