Emily Klaebe Builds Typefaces from Beads, Swirls and Art Nouveau Roots

Emily Klaebe, a graphic and type designer from Portland, views typography as a way to create unique worlds, calling it "the ambassador of sentiments and culture." She draws inspiration from a variety of sources like subway tiles, mosaics, and even lollipops, carefully designing her typefaces to convey specific tones and meanings. Klaebe has worked as a senior designer at Order and as a design lead at Order Type Foundry, in addition to teaching type design at Portland State University. Her Kickdrum typeface reimagines 1970s geometric styles with a twist of organic swirls, while her Missive Serif and Missive Bead typefaces feature detailed forms and a grid-based embroidery design. Klaebe emphasizes that her typefaces are both conceptually rich and versatile. Images by Emily Klaebe, 2026. Article written by Paul M, Junior Writer at It's Nice That since May 2025.