A surprise email!

I got this monthly newsletter from myfonts.com this evening... it featured an interview with Argentinian type designer, Daniel Hernández.

Here's a little excerpt:

Latinotype’s slogan is gently provocative: “Latin type, in latino hands”. And in fact, there is a specific atmosphere to the typefaces you publish. How would you describe the “latino” style or approach?

For us the term “Latin America” implies an important cultural concept. We identify strongly with our continent and with all the things that have happened to it. We Latin Americans have built our identity from the identities of others, of the countries that conquered our continent. These circumstances have resulted in a mix of cultures; they have formed us as a people, they inform and define our way of seeing and doing things.

The fact that Latin America does not have the same kind of typographic tradition that exists in Europe and the United States is important and relevant because it means we can try out new things without fear, without prejudices, without a past and with a lot of future. In actual fact with Latinotype we want to give ourselves the opportunity to experiment — in terms of formal choices, concepts and strategies — in ways that may not conform to the commonly accepted parameters and to some may seem strange or even dreadful.

We combine all of this, however, with the rigor that is a prerequisite for designing high-quality fonts and running a serious business while continually trying to professionalize the typographic discipline in our region.

I found this interesting, since I generally don't consider the South American region as "Latin American"... yes, they're "latin" ie speak spanish, and are part of America, but to me that has always has the connotation of Central America.

It will be interesting to consider this viewpoint, and to see if I should include or expand my research, despite the fact that I identify most strongly with Mexico, as part of my ancestry.