Jan Novák’s conceptual typefaces and identities are both functional and clear

Prague-based designer Jan Novák describes his childhood self as “a typical drawing kid”. “I drew everywhere all the time whenever paper and a pen were at hand – this stayed with me for quite a long time, and in the last couple of years I’ve managed to fulfil this obsession by drawing typefaces and doing graphic design,” says Jan. “I like creating things and caring about them during the whole process, which is quite possible with both type and graphic design. But I can easily imagine that I could be doing something completely different in five years time.”

Functionality and clarity is at the heart of everything Jan designs. “But it also has to be exciting for people who are willing to reveal deeper layers of design,” he says. “In my type design practice I try to work in a conceptual way, always exploring and including shapes and forms outside of the common type-design universe.”

Jan enjoys working on projects with startup brands, which allows him freedom to help with graphic design but also overall brand direction. “It can be hard and it is a lot about communication and finding the right fit for me and the client,” he explains. The designer has recently worked on a rebrand for a small chain of Prague-based restaurants, which combines a mix of sophisticated typefaces. Other stand-out projects include Pater, Jan’s science fiction novel illustrated with the designer’s renders and visual experiments, and a handful of sleek typefaces including Youth which he’s still working on.