Beatrice Warde

Beatrice Warde was a typographer and writer. From 1921-25 Beatrice worked as assistant librarian with the American Type Founders Company, using the facilities to research into typefaces and the history of printing. In 1925, after marrying the type designer Frederic Warde, she moved to Europe and worked for the Fleuron. At one point she even worked for a printing office, further increasing her passion for type forms. She believed that the purpose of typography was to show information. Comparing it to 'The Crystal Goblet' Beatrice felt that the type form has to be understated as not to get in the way of the information being presented. Like a cup to hold, same type is used but only to get information out there. Type reserved doesn't distract from the content shown.

She was made famous by her work in 1926 on an article in the Fleuron, which was written under her alias name 'Paul Beaujon.' The way the type forms have been used is unique especially for that period in time. The contrasting colours used not only make it aesthetically appealing but also draw the reader in. The bottom type which is upside down, helps the overall piece stand out. In 1927, she became editor of The Monotype Recorder, London.

Warde wrote and designed the famous Monotype broadsheet. This is a printing office (1932), uses Eric Gill's Perpetua typeface. Rejecting the avant-garde in typography, they believed that classical typography was a more polished type. From looking at this, it's clear that communication has come before aesthetics.