Character Driven: Potch Auacherdkul

Congratulations on the recent release of your new typeface Glazier! It is undeniably captivating and cool. Can you tell us more about these incredible hand-drawn serifs?
Glazier actually started with a simple question: 'Why serifs?' I couldn't find a clear answer, but the journey led me to explore fascinating forms in Latin script development, like rustic caps, uncial, carolingian, and more. The result is my take on historical shapes with a semi-formal twist.

Type design requires meticulous attention to detail. How do you stay patient and focused throughout the refinement process?
I think I'm kinda slow-paced. I prefer to sit and stare at the 'o' for hours than rush through different project aspects. It's sort of like a meditation practice in the process.

When did you first realize you wanted to release a typeface?
My first thought of typeface releasing was when I was working on 'Huai,' a bilingual typeface during my last 3 months at Type@Cooper. Before that, I dabbled in a few trial typefaces, but 'Huai' marked my official entry into the area of type design.

Are there any interesting anecdotes or stories related to the names you've given to your typefaces?
Naming typefaces is often a happy accident for me. It could be a chat with friends, random reading, or just an intuitive approach, like selecting characters I love and turning them into readable words.

Living and working in Bangkok offers a unique blend of cultural inspiration. How does the vibrant energy and rich heritage of the city influence your design process, and are there any specific aspects of the city that find their way into your creative work?
The energy and heritage of Bangkok have a profound impact on my design process. I'm especially drawn to handwritten street signs and the quirks of vernacular type design. It's intriguing to see how the Latin script has dominated and influenced various scripts and how people have adapted it through a local-Latinized lens.

There’s more to life than just letters and fonts. When you’re home and quiet, what comfort food do you enjoy?
Papaya salad is my native! The one with fermented fish! Otherwise, Japanese ramen always heals. I don't cook, but I do clean.

In a world dominated by digital communication, how do you envision the future of type design evolving?
The future of type design is evolving in exciting ways, with AI becoming a big player in the design industry. It's a bit like when the computer was first invented – a game-changer. I'm curious to see how everything adapts during this era, especially how I could position myself as an ethical tool controller, gatekeeper, and so on.

Typeface design can be a daunting task. How do you manage the challenges and avoid feeling overwhelmed?
The snail is one of the creatures I admire (although there are a lot of them at my place during the rainy season). Slow but steady pace.