Letterform Archive

Great organization with amazing virtual programs, but visit on a free admission day. Plan to spend 15~20 min. I'm a huge fan of their online programs, so I was very excited to visit in person when I was in SF. I read reviews so I managed my expectations on the exhibit size. The improv jazz typography exhibit was on a local typographer and I wish the signage did more storytelling. Maybe a SF local who knew the designer or is a HUGE type nerd would've gotten more out of the exhibit. But even as a graphic designer that knows the basics of typography/type design, I felt the burden to make meaning out of what I was seeing. Getting into the building is a little confusing since it's an industrial building, there's no signage outside, and no instructions on how to use the intercom. I was lucky someone leaving let me in. No wait to enter the exhibit and I was actually the only guest the time I was there. I wanted to support and buy a small gift line a pen or stationary, but they mainly sell books. Too heavy to fly with and none of them caught my eye.

Had a great time visiting after hearing much about it online. Superb collection and notably Molly, the young lady who helped me at the register, was helpful and kind. Will come back soon!

Absolutely amazing gallery. I think more people would come if they had a banner at the entrance - now it was a bit difficult to find, especially when you have to call to get the doors open on Sundays - on a plus site this gave a strange sense of exclusivity once you managed to get inside, so if this was intention - extra star for that, but if not, easy fix - the banner :)

Small but inspiring gallery. Great if you love graphic design and typography. They have a collection of about 85,000 objects and they are doing a couple shows a year. They also have a classroom and a type of graduate program for people who want to study typography and how to make fonts.

Normally I do not leave scathing reviews. We are HUGE fans of Bauhaus. Never ever ever EVER go to this exhibition - we do not recommend. Zero stars for this place. If we could go Lower we would. They were closed. And locked. And wouldn’t pick up the phone. People left and we got in. They are nasty and rude and told us we are nasty and rude 😂🙈🤷‍♀️ Apparently there was a tiny note on a speaker. We looked as we left and still did not see it so… Zero signage. We were upset as we’d traveled a long way for this and she was so rude. Her friend, when hearing our complaints, told us to “not take it out on her.” I beg your pardon but we were most certainly not at that level. When they left and we apologized in case we were, she not only did not accept the apology but was snotty as heck. Wow. If you see signs or instructions in these pics please let us know. Edit and this is terrifying to us… someone from the museum called the next day (today) and told us we were wrong about everything we have said in this review and when you get right down to it, told husband to his face that we are lying and people were complaining about us as clients. We were there 90 seconds? Maybe the aforementioned people above? But to call is to harass us and harangue us instead of reaching out to work it out just kind of reinforces it all - to us anyway. She hung up on us.

Looks cool but certainly has some operational issues. I wanted to visit and during times it’s listed as open, no answer at the call box or phone so no access. Checked website, google hours and IG and clearly doesn’t have any conflicting hours or changes. Just no one on site to let people access during public visiting hours. From reading other reviews, others have mentioned similar operational issues so I hope they can fix it and run like a consistent entity. Unfortunately, if you’re planning to visit, I would get a verbal confirmation over the phone they’re open when you plan to.

The Letterform Archive is awesome, they have typographic artifacts ranging from as far back as 2000 years ago. From cuneiform writing, to original black panther newspapers they truly have a wonderful collection. If you get a chance to have a tour with one of the librarians there, it's well worth it.

The best way to appreciate and experience the LA is to make a research appointment. When doing so, you tell them on the form what your lettering/typography/calligraphy interests are. The staff then pulls materials for you ahead of your visit, lays them out on a huge conference table and lets you sit and admire, take pictures, and notes. I highly recommend taking the time to book an appointment as you will be amazed by the treasures they will have!

Wish the experience at the Bauhaus Typography exhibit was better today, but unfortunately, it wasn't worth the $10 admission + Eventbrite fees. It's a very small room on the 4th floor, with a nice collection, but not much there. I was hoping for there to be a 2nd or larger room, nope. No public restroom, and unfortunately, the woman working the front desk could not offer a suggestion as to where to go in the entire building (none we could find), nor could she suggest an actual business that might be an alternate location to go. On the sidewalk? Where do other people go? Would have been nice to have some customer service in that area or have some info on the website or Eventbrite page.

As a graphic design student from another state, finding out about Letterform Archive and being able to visit them was incredible. I was able to schedule an Introductory Tour and a Research Visit. The Introductory Tour was a great opportunity to see work from very long ago (The Gutenberg Bible) to posters made by local designers and much more. As a student, being able to see these pieces and learn about the history of each of them was incredible. The staff was very patient, helpful, and offered a lot of information about the presented pieces. As for the Research Visit, I came in not completely sure of what I wanted to look for. The staff was still helpful and brought out more books and content for me to look at while I was there. I was able to learn more than I expected when I walked in, and have access to books and projects I wouldn't normally be able to access. Overall, I had a great experience here. I would recommend anyone (whether or not you have a design background) to visit the Letterform Archive. There is always something new to learn and you will definitely have a memorable time!

I took a 9-week type design crash course at Letterform Archive and was immensely pleased with the results. They have a wealth of historical type to reference, and we were shown beautiful specimens every class. I highly recommend taking the Fundamentals of Type Design class by type designer Carl Crossgrove of Monotype. Carl was assisted by Stephen Coles, himself an author and notable historian of type, and he would pull lovely examples from the archives to share with the students. Letterpress Archive also allows the public to make appointments and browse the archive for reference material. If you have a certain era or style in mind for a project, they will help you find appropriate reference material. It's a superb place for design + type aficionados and students, and I highly recommend you plan a visit there soon!

Enjoyed a tour of the Letterform Archive yesterday. Stephen did an excellent job of leading the tour, which was curated to the individual interests of the participants. They even had an interesting map workbook for me to look at it. I highly recommend it for those of you who have not visited.