AIGA Maine and MECA&D present an evening with type designer and founder of OH no Type Company, James Edmondson, exploring the intersection of typography, personal influence, and the realities of publishing.

Fonts Are Easy, Books Are Hard offers an inside look at Edmondson’s path in type design, the formative mentorship that shaped his career, and the complex, often challenging process of bringing a book to life through collaboration with a publisher.

Designing type can be precise, iterative, and deeply personal — but publishing a book introduces an entirely different set of challenges.

In this talk, James Edmondson shares his journey into type design, including the influence of a teacher who left a lasting mark on his creative life. He will also walk through the realities of taking a book from idea to finished object — navigating creative control, editorial processes, production constraints, and collaboration with a publisher.

Fonts Are Easy, Books Are Hard is a candid reflection on craft, mentorship, and the often unseen labor behind publishing design work.

The evening will include a 45-minute talk followed by an audience Q&A and time for book signing.