TYPEFACE DESIGN
2025 2024 2023
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
KATE RAGOSTA
NARRATOR
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE
Narrator is a high contrast, expanded serif typeface suited for display text. It is a modern revival of Promotor (1960), originally created by Dutch type designer Leonard H. D. Smit.
Leonard H. D. Smit (1917–1986) was a prominent figure in mid-20th-century typography. He began his career at Lettergieterij Amsterdam—also known as Tetterode—in 1947, where he designed several notable typefaces that blend both calligraphic elegance and practical design.
Among his most celebrated works is Amazone (1958), a calligraphic script known for its elegant, flowing letterforms. Smit also designed Promotor (1960) along with its bold counterpart Orator (1962). His final typeface, Revue (1969), continued his signature high-contrast aesthetic.
Cover of the Narrator specimen book, designed by Kate Ragosta, featuring diacritics that support both English and Dutch.
Full character set from the original Promotor specimen by Lettergieterij Amsterdam.
Original Promotor specimen printed in 36/6 and 48/6 point sizes.
Text from the original Promotor specimen shown in sentence case and all caps.
Additional example of original Promotor specimen in sentence case and all caps.
Narrator specimen by Kate Ragosta, showcasing numerals, symbols, and expressive glyphs.
Narrator specimen, featuring the complete uppercase and lowercase alphabet.
Narrator specimen, highlighting variation in type size.
The Narrator specimen booklet and foldout poster.
Alternate view of the Narrator specimen book and foldout poster
An expressive type spread from the Narrator specimen booklet highlighting the diverse character set and the bold, high-contrast texture of the typeface. Designed by Kate Ragosta.
TYPEFACE DESIGN
2025
2024
2023
INSTRUCTOR
Christopher Sleboda
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Amanda Mundy (2025), Ash Wei (2024)
DESIGN
Erica Pritchett · Built with Cargo
ABOUT
This site documents student work from an advanced typeface design course taught by Christopher Sleboda and open to students in the MFA Graphic Design and BFA Graphic Design programs at Boston University, as well as students in the School of Visual Arts—including those in the new Visual Narrative MFA. The course provides a rigorous introduction to the conceptual and technical processes involved in creating original digital typefaces. Students explore the foundations of letterform construction—including structure, proportion, counterform, spacing, and rhythm—while developing their own typefaces.
Through research, sketching, and the use of digital tools like RoboFont, students engage with typographic history and contemporary practice to design functional and expressive typefaces. Each student produces a working font and a printed type specimen. This site showcases the results of that work, reflecting diverse design approaches and a deep engagement with the craft of type design.