PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN
(BOLD, CONDENSED) COMMUNICATION DESIGN

Since 1927, we’ve been uplifting creative professionals while having good times along the way. Our community spans the globe, but we still call Chicago home. We’re the Society of Typographic Arts, and we just really love design. Nice to meet you again.

From big celebrations and competitions to small tours and workshops, we’ve got something for designers at any stage of their career.

Some of our regularly scheduled programming includes:

Ceremonial Honorary Member and STA Fellow events that celebrate novel contributions to the typographic arts discipline

Design Inspiration Weekend, an unorthodox three-day conference for creatives of all kinds

The STA 100, an international communication design competition chaired and juried by distinguished industry guests (accepting submissions right now!)

Type Thursdays, our free portfolio consultation “office hours” for emerging designers

See all programs

Stay up to date on the latest industry developments, learn what others are creating, and generally just geek out over font stuff with us.

Get to know everyone and stay in the loop:

Subscribe to our emails, which don’t require paid membership

Connect with us on social media and slide into our DMs or whatever it is you’re supposed to do over there

Get news, trends, and expert opinions on everything from vintage watchface numerals to variable font compatibility software

Hear interviews with industry professionals and dissect never-before-seen process work

CONSUME MEDIA
three ways to develop your skills expand your network show your love
$70

PER YEAR

Emerging

best for students

You are the future. For that, the best we can do is about half off. But it’s nothing personal! It’s just that, between portfolio consultations and other exclusive opportunities, you really do get a big bang for your buck. If we made it any cheaper, we’d go belly up. Hey, that rhymed!

$120

PER YEAR

Professional

best for individuals

Support as a Professional Member of the Society comes with our humble, unironic gratitude and more perks than you can shake your stylus at. Get our annual STA 100 catalogue, an intimate networking environment, and a third highlight. Note to self: don’t forget to add that really important third highlight.

$500

PER YEAR

Organization

best for groups

Bundle Professional Memberships for your team, collaborate with us on programs and events, and make lasting contributions to our vibrant community. We love connecting people and places, on the ground and over the series of tubes that Senator Ted Stevens once called the internet.

View STA 100 Judges Choice Winners

"A Meditation on Type," Alyssa Arnesen. 2020 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Tré Seals

"Braille Meets Emoticons: Visual Language for the Visually Impaired," Walda Verbaenen. 2020 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Juan Pastor Rovira

"Confluence Chicago," One Design Company. 2020 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Pum Lefebure

"Theaster Gates: Every Square Needs A Circle," Hour. 2020 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Pablo Juncadella

“Rising Together: The Black Experience with Police in America,” Isometric Studio, 2019 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Matthew Hoffman

“Off the 405,” Happening Studio. 2019 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Meriah Garrett

“Happy Family Night Market,” Isometric Studio, 2019 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Ellen Lupton

“Exit 76 Sculptures," Thirst. 2019 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Aarron Walter

“Tribeca Forward,” Bone, 2018 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Renata Graw

“The Public Theater 2018–19,” Pentagram. 2018 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Lance Rutter

“Oddball: Masked,” Conduit, 2018 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Jessica Helfand

“L’onde, Theater and Art Galerie. Poster for Cultural Season 18/19," Atelier Anette Lenz. 2018 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Steff Geissbühler

“The Exhibitionist,” Stripe SF. 2017 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Andrej Krátky

“But What if We’re Wrong?,” Office of Paul Share (O.O.P.S), 2017 STA 100 Judges Choice, selected by Alisa Wolfson

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Who We Are

The Society of Typographic Arts (STA) is Chicago’s oldest professional design association, founded on October 17, 1927. Today, we are thousands of industry experts who promote international excellence in communication design, focusing specifically on the culture, technology, and politics of the typographic arts.

What We Do

We invite and encourage all creative professionals to help build a community with specialized professional, educational, and networking opportunities for members. With our Foundation, we preserve and advance the craft of typography while making it accessible to and for everyone.

Where We Hang

We still call Chicago home, but our network now spans the globe. Local members enjoy unparalleled access to an abundant regional history while attending marquee events. Online, we engage members with digital content, programming, and other opportunities designed just for them.