Ian’s Typographic Journey: Ian first began crafting letterforms as a teenager in the late 1980s. At the time, these weren’t full alphabets but a handful of characters—often just enough to create a logotype or symbol. It wasn’t until his degree studies that he took on the challenge of designing a complete alphabet. The result was Lovebytes, created in 1992 on a Macintosh LC 475—nicknamed “The Pizza Box”—using Aldus PageMaker. Although he developed a full lowercase set, Lovebytes was never turned into an installable digital typeface. Much of Ian’s early experimentation was inspired by the work of Dutch designer Wim Crouwel, whose bold, system-driven approach left a lasting impression. Only recently has Ian revisited those early designs, with plans to release some as fully functional typefaces available for purchase in the near future.

In recent years, Ian has pushed further into unconventional and exploratory territory. Many of his new typefaces depart from traditional letterform structures. Some are based on systems such as coded colour or letter frequency; others verge on the abstract, barely hinting at recognisable characters. For Ian, this kind of experimentation is both rewarding and exhilarating. He admits to having once tried reinterpreting classics like Helvetica and Bodoni, but quickly lost interest. In his view, these typefaces are already complete—if not technically perfect, then perfect in spirit. Their imperfections, he believes, are part of their charm.

Over time, Ian’s relationship to type has evolved. As a young design student, he and his peers would collect thousands of fonts on CDs, convinced that more was better. Today, his library holds fewer than a hundred—plus those he’s created himself for specific projects or ideas. “If I’m lucky enough to live long enough,” Ian jokes, “I might even get that number down to a dozen.”

Typefaces coming soon include:
Lovebytes (1992)
Stasis Mono (1995)
Northern Quarter (2002) (Now Available) (Fonts In Use)
Colmado (2003)
Zona (2005)
Neue Ordnung (2007)
Spectral (2009)
Fone-M (2018)
Pop! (2024)

Commercial: Punto Aparte Studio works with clients to improve visual communication across branding, signage, type design, and printed materials such as brochures and posters. The studio has experience with a wide range of organisations, from small businesses to large, established companies, and has consulted on both regional and national events. Ian takes a practical, thoughtful approach to each project, with the aim of delivering well-executed, appropriate outcomes. If you're looking for design support with a clear focus on craft and function, get in touch to see how the studio can help.

Education: Ian regularly runs workshops with students, offering direct feedback and guidance on their work. These sessions are designed to create space for open conversation and hands-on learning, shaped by real-world experience. He can also develop set projects for students, helping them engage with the full process of design—idea development, problem-solving, and execution. His workshops are typically booked on a day-rate basis. Ian encourages students to start with pen and paper before turning to digital tools. He believes that understanding print is still essential to graphic design, and often arranges visits to working lithographic presses. These trips offer a close look at techniques such as foil blocking, spot colours, and UV finishes—methods that, while sometimes overlooked, remain important to producing well-considered printed work.

Private: Punto Aparte Studio also takes on private commissions. These projects can be developed in close collaboration with the client—whether that means working to a detailed brief or developing a one-off, tailored outcome from scratch.

Vintage Youth is our outlet for releasing special limited-edition items. Our first release is a limited edition plectrum for Nev Cottee, available now in the store.