‘Making Faces’ film details art of creating metal typeface

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Cary Graphic Arts

The Making Faces film follows Jim Rimmer through the cutting and casting of a single letter ‘k.’

“A pure process film on the true hands-on method of creating typefaces, as demonstrated by one of its last practitioners.”

—Gary Hustwit, filmmaker

RIT’s Cary Graphic Arts Collection is sponsoring the screening of Rich Kegler's documentary Making Faces at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 in Booth Hall’s Webb Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Making Faces captures the personality and work process of the late Canadian graphic artist and type designer Jim Rimmer (1931–2010). The film focuses on Rimmer’s dedication to his craft and relays the details of creating a metal typeface, while also conveying this passion to anyone who values the “hand-made” in today’s world of convenience. Critics say Rimmer’s good humor and intelligent description of his process make it an enjoyable viewing experience, and the film documents the creation of a new typeface from the preliminary sketches through the cutting and casting of a single letter.

In 2008, P22 type foundry commissioned Rimmer to create a new type design, RTF Stern, that became the first-ever simultaneous release of a digital font and handset metal font. Rimmer was one of only a few who possessed the skills needed to create a metal font.

Kegler is founder and lead designer of P22 type foundry. He is also the artistic director of the WNY Book Arts Center in Buffalo N.Y.