During Voices in Type Assembly the power of letters takes centre stage.
On 31 March 2026, the Chassé Theater in Breda becomes a meeting place for designers, thinkers and artists from around the world. Organised by Graphic Matters, Voices in Type Assembly brings together ten international speakers to share their perspectives on graphic design as a cultural, social and political force. The central question is: what happens when we see letters not only as form but also as voice?
The programme unites designers who are at the heart of contemporary debates. Designer and author Ruben Pater explores in his lecture Design Under Fascism how design can reinforce power structures but also how designers can develop alternatives that support communities. Berlin based Iranian type designer Golnar Kat Rahmani presents Type and Politics, examining how Persian Arabic typography is shaped by perception and geopolitics. Beatriz Lozano showcases Type as a Tool for Community Power, demonstrating how typography can actively contribute to community building and social change.
The discussion also delves into activism and representation. Tré Seals of Vocal Type, Mark Baker-Sanchez of BakerSanchez Inc., Michael Ellsworth and Raya Leary of Civilization guide the audience through the CHARACTERS: Voices in Type project. Saki Mafundikwa shares insights from Afrikan Alphabets: The Story of Writing in Afrika, while Aneesh Bhoopathy reflects on the recent Zohran Mamdani campaign and the role of design in contemporary political movements. The day opens with a live performance by Guido de Boer.
Voices in Type Assembly marks the international conclusion of the Graphic Matters project Characters: Voices in Type, a collaboration with Vocal Type and Civilization. The event is aimed at designers, students, educators and cultural professionals who want to look beyond aesthetics and engage with the societal impact of design. Voices in Type Assembly is not about superficial inspiration, but a sharp and timely programme that explores how design shapes perception, power and representation and the role it plays in today’s society.
More information and tickets at graphicmatters.nl
Photography: Chantal van den Berg
