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Connor Davenport
Typeface Designer / Technical Director at Sharp Type Co.
Connor Davenport is a typeface designer and Technical Director at Sharp Type Co., a global type design studio. Here are some key details about his career and contributions:
Early Career and Education
Connor Davenport began his journey in type design as an intern at Sharp Type. He was a recent graduate from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) when he flew out to spend a month with the founders of Sharp Type in Spain.2 This internship led to him becoming Sharp Type's first full-time employee.
Role at Sharp Type
Davenport has since become an integral part of Sharp Type, serving as a typeface designer and Technical Director. He has collaborated on several notable typeface projects:
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Garnett: This was Davenport's first typeface design, which he began as an undergraduate thesis project. Garnett is described as a sturdy, contemporary grotesk that captures the quirkiness of 19th-century metal type.1
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Beatrice Standard: Davenport worked alongside Lucas Sharp in designing this typeface, which is part of the larger Beatrice Superfamily.4
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Sharp Slab: Another collaboration with Lucas Sharp, with special thanks mentioned to Jennifer Whitley.5
Design Philosophy and Approach
Davenport's approach to type design is rooted in historical research and contemporary interpretation. For Garnett, he drew inspiration from early grotesques of 19th-century Britain, particularly referencing works from foundries like Stephenson Blake, Caslon, Miller & Richard, and Vincent Figgins.1
Other Projects
Outside of his work at Sharp Type, Davenport maintains his own typographic office. His personal website describes it as "not a type foundry but a studio practice focusing on custom letter design and tools for font production".3 He offers licensing for some of his typefaces and is open to custom typeface, lettering, or tool design projects.
Client Work
Davenport has worked with an impressive list of clients, including ABC Dinamo, Actual Source, Base Design, Carvalho Bernau, Pentagram Design, and XYZ Type, among others.3
Connor Davenport's career trajectory showcases his growth from an intern to a key figure in contemporary typeface design, contributing significantly to Sharp Type's portfolio and establishing himself as a respected designer in the field.
