Kris Sowersby: Typeface Designer and Founder of Klim Type Foundry

Kris Sowersby is a world-renowned typeface designer based in Wellington, New Zealand, and the director of the independent Klim Type Foundry. Since founding the studio in 2005, Kris Sowersby has become a central figure in contemporary typography, known for his philosophy of "a thing well made." His work is characterized by a rigorous approach to craft that bridges the gap between historical typographic research and modern digital application. This methodology has resulted in a portfolio of widely acclaimed typefaces, including National, Founders Grotesk, Söhne, Tiempos, and Heldane, which are utilized by major international brands and publications. Throughout his career, Kris Sowersby has been honored with many of the industry's most prestigious awards. He was named an ADC Young Gun and has earned several Certificates of Excellence from the New York Type Directors Club. In 2013, he was accepted into the Alliance Graphique Internationale, and in 2015, he received the John Britten Black Pin, the highest honor from the Designers Institute of New Zealand. His impact on the creative community was further recognized in 2019 when he was named an Art Laureate by The Arts Foundation for his enduring contribution to New Zealand art and design. Kris Sowersby continues to lead the Klim Type Foundry in producing both retail fonts and custom commissions for high-profile clients such as the Financial Times, National Geographic, and PayPal.