Type Designer

Member / Volunteer Full Time / Part Time Supported / Volunteer Remote

Design and modify character glyphs for fonts using design applications. Consult with experts to ensure proper appearance, spacing, and diacritic placement for global scripts.

Announcement

We are seeking full-time and volunteer professional Type Designers to help us design and develop fonts for writing systems of the world.

About SIL Global

SIL Global is a faith-based nonprofit organization committed to serving translation teams worldwide. If you believe, as we do, that all languages are of value, form an integral part of people's identity, and have the potential to serve them in a rapidly changing world, then you can be part of a software team serving translation teams worldwide.

The Role

A Type Designer's role is to be responsible for creating and modifying character designs for fonts using font design applications.

Major Responsibilities

Design typefaces using original artwork (drawings, examples of writing) or modify existing fonts to create needed fonts for both Latin and non-Latin writing systems.
Design all required glyphs for a script. Work with the Script Engineer in font encoding issues
Consult with the Script Expert (usually from the field) to ensure proper font appearance, appropriate letter spacing and diacritic placement
Test fonts as a member of a group of testers
Synthesize and communicate needs and research
Articulate design decisions
Participate as an integral and enthusiastic part of the team, exhibiting ownership, follow-through, initiative, awareness, and effective communication with peers and management.
Work with the team around a cohesive product roadmap

Minor Responsibilities

Propose refinements to processes and systems for design and user research
Contribute to the development of team culture
Participate in regular project status, planning, partnership, and strategic meetings
Be available to travel to meet with the larger development team at least once per year
Be available to travel biennially to the Language Technology Conference
Participate in professional conferences and meetings

Knowledge & Skills

A servant heart attitude
Demonstrated skills in type design
Good interpersonal skills of communication
Good organizational skills
The ability to make decisions in a timely manner
The ability to work both with a team and independently, and to multitask effectively

Education

Type Designers should have proficiency in current font design tools, such as Glyphs, Robofont, FontLab. A bachelor's degree in graphic arts, computer graphics, or equivalent work experience is preferred, but we care more for a heart and mind that are always learning. Sociolinguistic exposure and multicultural experience are helpful.

Training & Orientation

Will complete the initial IT Software Department training program and relevant portions of IT Orientation.

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