Erik Spiekermann (a long time friend of REMO) is one of the most influential figures in modern typography and design, renowned for his clarity-driven philosophy and wry sense of humour. Born in 1947 in Stadthagen, Germany, he has spent more than five decades shaping how the world reads and interacts with type. His work spans corporate identity systems, groundbreaking typefaces, digital font distribution and, more recently, experimental letterpress projects that bridge tradition and technology.
Erik's fascination with type began during his university days in Berlin, where he studied art history and English literature. To fund his studies, he worked as a letterpress printer, a hands-on experience that instilled in him a deep respect for the craft of typography. This early exposure to the physicality of type would later underpin his enduring belief that design is not about decoration, but about communication and usability.
In 1979, he co-founded MetaDesign, which grew to become one of the world'd leading design firms. Under his leadership, MetaDesign developed identity systems for clients such as Audi, Volkswagen and Deutsche Bahn (German Railways). His systematic approach to branding – where every element serves a clear function – redefined corporate design in Europe and beyond.
As a type designer, Erik's contributions are very significant. His most famous creation, FF Meta (1991, the typeface used by REMO for over 25 years), was conceived as a humanist alternative to Helvetica, offering warmth and legibility without sacrificing efficiency. The typeface became so widely used that it was nicknamed “the Helvetica of the ’90s”. Other notable designs include ITC Officina, FF Info, and FF Unit. In 1989, he co-founded FontShop, the first mail-order and later online marketplace for digital fonts, democratising access to professional type at a time when the industry was shifting from analog to digital.
Erik is as much a communicator as he is a designer. His book Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works (1993) remains a go-to guide for typographic literacy. He has consistently advocated for user-centred design, emphasising that good design anticipates human needs and behaviour.
His humour and uncompromised honesty have also become part of his legacy. Two of his most iconic posters – “Don’t work for assholes. Don’t work with assholes.” and “Better done than prfect” – have become cult statements in the creative industry. These phrases encapsulate his practical, no-nonsense ethos: respect your collaborators and ship your work, because perfectionism kills progress.
In recent years, Erik has returned to his roots through "Hacking Gutenberg", an experimental project that merges centuries-old letterpress printing with digital tools like laser cutters and 3D printing. Working from his Berlin workshop, he creates limited-edition prints and hosts workshops that celebrate the tactile beauty of type while embracing modern production methods. Far from being a nostalgic exercise, this project underscores his belief that innovation often comes from reinterpreting tradition.
Across his career, Erik has shown that typography is more than a visual discipline – it is a cultural force. Through his typefaces, writings, posters and playful experiments, he continues to inspire designers to value clarity, craft and, above all – humanity in design.
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References
hackinggutenberg.berlin
spiekermann.com/en
spiekileaks.com
wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Spiekermann
luc.devroye.org/fonts
Images
1. Book: Hello I am Erik, Johannes Erler, 2014. Erik Spiekermann, 2020. Photo: Norman Posselt
2. Erik Spiekermann in his happy place – hacking Gutenberg, Berlin
3. Spiekermann FF Meta 1985 Poster by Brandon Scott, 2017
4. Hacking Gutenberg studio
5. Form Follows Fun. Credit: hackinggutenberg.berlin
6. Erik printing. Credit: Gestalten, 2015
7. Support Hacking Gutenberg. Become a Friend at hackinggutenberg.berlin
8. Poster: "Don't work for assholes. Don't work with assholes."
9. Poster: "Better done than prfect."
10. Erik Spiekermann at work in Berlin
11. Erik loves his posters
12. Video: "Hello, I am Erik—The German Letterman", Gestalten, 2015
13. REMO celebrates FF Meta and Erik in its 2008 "Printed Thing"
