Oral history; Interview with Eiichi Kono, 2015
Main details
| Reference number | 2016/1728 |
|---|---|
| Description | Typographer Eiichi Kono talks about developing the New Johnston typeface - the updated version of Edward Johnston’s original typeface for London Transport. |
| Interviewee | Eiichi Kono |
| Dates | 22/02/2015 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Topics | |
| Completeness | 62% |
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Physical description
Item content Attribute Value Object title Oral history interview with Eiichi Kono, 2015 -
Interview summary
Track 1 [01.33.35] Eiichi Kono (EK) was born in 1941 and outlines his reasons for coming to London in 1974 to study graphic design at the London College of Printing [00.04.00]. Describes previous career as a publicity personnel working for the Carl Zeiss optical company on trade exhibitions and technical reports stimulated an interest in the problems of printing good quality Latin text material in Japan. Recalls visiting his mentor an experienced Japanese letterpress printer called Juso Takaoka [00.10.00]. Mentions that his father was a mechanical engineer and there was no family background in printing. EK explains Juso's wide range of experience in printing and his post WWII work including material for the 1964 Olympic Games [00.17.00]. Recalls that in the 1970s letterpress printing was rapidly changing to photo typesetting and mentions that London Transport (LT) had a problem in maintaining Johnston original typeface. After three years at London College of Printing, then to the Royal College of Art, ES studied under Dr Herbert Spencer, head of the readability print research unit. [00.20.00]. Recalls being introduced to David Kindersley (DK) at Cambridge in 1977 and describes DK's work on the development and use of computers in the optical letter spacing [00.24.00]. Describes part time summer job for Banks and Miles (B&M) on designing diagrams for government report on clearing banks. Explains that B&M had a problem solving approach to graphic design. EK accepts job at B&M outlines B&M's preliminary work for LT on new Johnston and [00.30.00] describes how he set about developing new Johnston. Notes that Helvetica is becoming the dominant type face and begins to think about modifying Johnston. Recalls use of microscope to study and develop a new typeface [00.34.00]. Describes process in detail and notes development of photo mechanical transfer copying machines by Agfa in 1970. Recalls first using this process at the University of Texas and gives examples of use in UK [00.42.00]. EK was introduced to Robert Norton (RN) a specialist in type making for photo typesetting and explains various typesetting processes. Explains that he learnt a lot of useful material from RN [00.46.30]. EK notes that he was given free hand at B&M in 1979-1980 including one day's teaching at Middlesex University. EK explains his enthusiasm for the design work [00.52.00]. In 1985 EK left Banks and Miles after six years. Notes that Robert Norton went to Seattle to work for Bill Gates [00.54.30].Describes his initial limited involvement with LT on the New Johnston work and recalls that Colin Banks was the main contact. Recalls the production of artwork for New Johnson [00.58.40]. RT and EK recall production problems with original Johnston. EK remembers working on typefaces for Microsoft. EK describes first impressions of old Johnson when in 1972 he visited London en route to Germany. Explains how got he a place as a student at London College of Printing (LCP) [01.05.00]. EK describes brief visits to Yale University and how he got a place at RCA. Two years later met Bruce Brown (BB) [Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Brighton] and obtained a research fellowship to study Johnston's work at University of Brighton in 2006. Recalls meeting a range of designers and notes that William Morris rather that Johnston is well known in Japan [01.13.00]. Mentions book 'Johnston's Underground Type' by Justin Howes published in 2000. In 2003 EK asked to give talk at Johnston seminar on how B&M designed New Johnston. EK summarises work on various projects at B&M between 1984-2000 including some work for BT. Explains in detail his work on reduction in size of BT's London telephone directories [01.30.00]. Describes how BT adopted an existing typeface.
End of Track 1 [01.33.35] Track 2 [00.49.36] EK explains in detail the process of designing the new Johnston, the equipment involved and the elaborate art work required for computer processing. Recalls that this involved preparation of about one thousand drawings over a period of two years. EK describes the work in more detail and further work for the BT phonebook [00.05.30]. Describes discussions with LT to approve the initial design work and mentions alternative work by Walter Tracy. Explains need to redraw lower case but upper case was satisfactory. EK comments on designs in general and Johnston in detail [00.13.00]. Mentions detailed differences in letter design in different fonts [00.17.00]. EK notes that Colin Banks was a good boss and let him work alone on New Johnston project for 18-24 months. Recalls further details of work. EK remembers that in1983 he still working in UK on limited visa and so had to apply to Home Office for leave to remain in UK and that in1984 he was granted a permanent visa although he is still a Japanese national. Recalls further work at B&M with John Miles for Monotype and notes changes in newspaper printing. In 1984 left B&M to go freelance with two days teaching at Middlesex University [00.27.00]. Describes design work for The Economist and Microsoft for on-screen reading text. Talks about books on Johnston by Pricilla Johnston and Justin Howes [00.31.00]. EK describes whole project as successful. Recalls assembling material for a Johnston seminar in 2003. EK agrees with RT that it took a while for his work on New Johnston to have any impact on his life. EK reflects on New Johnston signs around London and modern printing processes. EK comments on the advancement of digital printing and recalls the personal qualities of Edward Johnston [00.43.00]. EK comments on his work on New Johnston. EK recalls some interesting calligraphers and their work. End of Track 2 [00.49.36] -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Interviewer Richard Taylor, 22/02/2015Interviewee Eiichi Kono -
Associated companies, people and places
People Attribute Value People Edward Johnston -