2024 Program Search
Annual International Publishing Design Forum
Activities for Professionals
Annual International Publishing Design Forum
Design Beyond the Book: Publishers Who Understand Typography
Activities for Professionals
Annual International Publishing Design Forum
The Faces of Typography in Editorial Design
The Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), in collaboration with Anáhuac University Mexico, will celebrate the tenth edition of the International Forum on Editorial Design. This year, the focus will be on the importance of typography in editorial design.
Typography not only serves as a vehicle for textual communication but also plays a crucial role in the aesthetics and readability of any publication. From the selection of typefaces that convey unique editorial styles to the adaptation of typography for various modern media and formats, this forum will explore how typography defines the visual narrative of stories and editorial content.
More than just a functional tool, typography is a critical element in the identity and expression of contemporary publications, directly influencing how readers perceive and engage with content. Thus, this event will provide a space for reflection and learning, where participants will share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on the significance and evolution of typography in editorial design.
Activities for Professionals
Annual International Publishing Design Forum
Design Beyond the Book: Publishers Who Understand Typography
Every day, more publishers are enhancing their image through design and selecting a curated set of typefaces for use in their editions, as well as representing them beyond books, in their corporate identity, presentations, and presence in both digital (social media) and analog (bookstores or events) media. Much of these identities are built around typography, through a level of personalization that often becomes an integral part of their brand.
Participants: Isidro Ferrer, Leonardo Vázquez, Nubia Navarro
Moderator: Alexia Halteman

Isidro Ferrer
Invitado de HonorHe is an illustrator and graphic designer whose work spans a vast physical and emotional geography. A graduate in dramatic arts and scenography, Isidro Ferrer is a graphic artist in the broadest sense of the term: he is the creator of hundreds of posters, book covers, objects, toys, editorial design, monumental infographics, animated shorts, textiles, brand imagery, sculptures, and lamps. Any medium, technique, or communication channel serves him to express with images his passion for the theater of life.
As an illustrator, he has published over 50 books, including: El vuelo de la razón (1993, Ministry of Culture Award for Best Edited Book); Yo me lo guiso, yo me lo como (1996, Laus Silver Award for Illustration); El verano y sus amigos (1996, Lazarillo Award for Illustration); En Cosme i el monstre Menjamots (2000, Serra d’Or Criticism Award); Una casa para el abuelo (2003, Daniel Gil Award for Illustration; 2006, Junceda Award for Illustration); Libro de las preguntas (2006, AEPD Award and Cálamo Award); Un jardín (2017, Bologna Ragazzi Award Mention); Enciclopedia visual de los sonidos (2022, BRAW Amazing Bookshelf. Bologna Children’s Book Fair); Frankenstein o el Prometeo moderno (2023, National Award for Best University Edition); Piedra a piedra (2023, Ministry of Culture Award for Best Edited Book).
His work has been exhibited in numerous countries across Europe, America, and Asia. He has received the National Design Award in 2002 and the National Illustration Award in 2006. Since 2000, he has been a member of AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale).
Other activities involving the participant:
Illustrating the Journey

Leonardo Vázquez
Leonardo Vázquez treats the editorial profession as a dish to be enjoyed from its planning stages. A typographer trained at the National Typography Research Workshop in Nancy, France, Leonardo carefully selects the editorial ingredients: the paper to choose the format, the precision of the text box, and the primary ingredient, typography, to provide structure, accents, and spaces for fluid reading. With well-chosen guards and a cover, the book is prepared slowly and without haste, savoring and enjoying each page.
Leonardo holds a Master’s in Critical Theory and has worked with private publishers, government entities, and NGOs. From his studio, macizo.com.mx, he tackles editorial challenges with new formulas and ingredients that leave readers satisfied. He is the founder of the Mexican Typography Association and the creator of the typographic classification system Wikitype. He has designed typefaces such as Señal México for Mexican highways, Lectura for the editorial Artes de México, and Algarabía for the magazine of the same name. He has also taught undergraduate and graduate courses in public and private educational institutions in Mexico.
Other activities involving the participant:
The Character of Editorial Design Through Typography

Nubia Navarro
Nubia Navarro, also known as Nubikini, she is an art director, designer, lettering artist and typography lover based in Bogotá, Colombia (with her heart in Venezuela). With 10+ years of experience, she enjoys the ability to adapt to any project and generate striking pieces that transmit emotions through colors and typography.
Her approach to design is very focused on solving problems through custom lettering, typography, color and illustration. She believes in experimentation and diversity as a way of getting ahead of other people and brands. Considered one of the TDC 35 Ascenders of 2023, Nubia’s work has been recognized by the Latin American Design Awards, the Type Directors Club, Communication Arts, among others. His clients include Adobe, Microsoft, Facebook, Chronicle Books, Airbnb, Wacom, Trader Joes, Lenovo, Edding, Johnnie Walker, American Greetings and Adidas.

Alexia Halteman
Editor, bookseller, and translator. She studied a Bachelor's degree in Hispanic Literature at the University of Guadalajara. She participated in the editing of the Colección del Semáforo at Taller Ditoria (2009–2014) and was a founding member and editor of the literary and graphic magazine La Cigarra (2013–2016). She has translated several books of poetry, short stories, and essays, including Walking by Henry David Thoreau. She is a co-founder, along with Helena Aldana, José Clemente Orozco Farías, and Carlos Armenta, of Impronta Casa Editora (2014–present). She currently serves as editor at Impronta and manages its bookstore.
Sunday, December 01
18:50 to 19:40
Salón de Profesionales, Área Internacional, Expo Guadalajara
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