Typowalks: Places and their lettering

Many aspects influence cityscapes and townscapes: These include architecture, history, infrastructure, nature, design and the people who live in these places. Although underestimated, typography and design have also made a significant contribution for thousands of years. The typefaces of a city also reflect its character. All these written details can be discovered on the Typowalks in the Innsbruck region.

It is really worth paying attention to the lettering on houses and you will be amazed at the unnoticed subtleties that can be discovered even in familiar surroundings.

On the Typowalks of the WEI SRAUM. Designforum Tirol interested parties have been experiencing exciting tours since 2016 - professionally accompanied and underpinned with inexhaustible, well-founded specialist knowledge. The idea and implementation came from WEI SRAUM chairman, HTL teacher, graphic designer and typography enthusiast Markus Weithas, who has organized almost 30 Typowalks with changing focal points over the past eight years in Innsbruck and the surrounding area.

A few years ago I took part in one of the free Typowalks in Innsbruck. As a graphic designer and city guide, this guided walk was of course doubly interesting for me. I was also curious to see my former teacher Markus in a different role, namely as a guide. And although as a city guide I already know many details about Innsbruck, I have to admit that I rarely pay attention to the typographic design of hotel lettering, for example.

The Typowalk was therefore eye-opening and exciting in many ways, not least because Markus Weithas provided a lot of interesting information in addition to a quick run-through of the history of typefaces. For example, you could find out when and in what historical context a typeface was created and who designed it.

I had already discovered font development during my school days at the HTL for graphic and communication design and I have always enjoyed working with typography. Admittedly: Unfortunately, I've forgotten a lot of what I learned since then. But I have teachers like Markus Weithas to thank for the fact that a lot has stuck with me.

From 1997 to 2024 Markus taught at the HTL in Innsbruck, for several semesters and also at the Free University of Bolzano. When I see him again at the Typowalk and now for the interview, I experience many déjà-vus. More than 15 years have passed since I graduated, but his detailed explanations, the names, technical terms and cross-references take me straight back to the classroom. His knowledge and enthusiasm for typography and design are as great as ever - and infectious.

"Innsbruck doesn't have an outstanding type culture, to be honest," says the expert. But: "I do have the impression that good typography and design are becoming more important again. You can actually see that everywhere, for example in start-ups," Markus continues. It is also perhaps noticeable in the Innsbruck brand itself, which has developed strongly since 2010 and has now been transformed from the Patscherkofel to the Airport airport. And this despite the initial scandal surrounding the apostrophe in the Innsbruck logo.

Hardly anyone in the Innsbruck region knows more about design topics than Markus, although he himself claims that his wife, a trained typographer, knows even more than he does. Whatever the case, his research into the various focal points and locations, as well as his background knowledge, are simply top-notch and quite impressive. On top of that, there are a number of literature recommendations. During our conversation, I barely manage to make a note of all the book tips.

For the Typowalks, Markus has developed several tours with a variety of focal points. The topics in Innsbruck included: In Arthur Zelger's footsteps, Type and power, Sans serif through Innsbruck, Best of city center, Corporate Typography or Type and Night (Neon) and the Typowalks in the districts of Wilten, Pradl and Saggen. There have also been typographic excursions to Hall in Tirol, Seefeld, Wattens and Igls.

Markus' explanations of the different developments in the culture of lettering in the various locations are particularly interesting. In Innsbruck, for example, the influence of Arthur Zelger, the creator of the famous Tirol logo and the graphic designer of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, was very great. His traces are still visible today and will probably last for some time to come. Although I am familiar with many of Zelger's works and even have one of his posters hanging on the wall at home, I am surprised that Markus is able to show me more of his lettering in the city center.

In recognition and remembrance of this influential graphic designer, the WEI SRAUM Designforum has been organizing the Tirol Advertising awarded by Arthur Zelger Prize for good design has been awarded.

In Igls and Seefeldtourism has played and continues to play a major role - also in typography. Lettering for hotels, mountain railroads and much more offer exciting aspects here. In Igls, Markus discovered many works by the artist Helmut Millonig, among others, who is still working in his workshop in Hötting at an advanced age.

In autumn 2024, an interesting two-day excursion is on the WEI SRAUM program: it's off to Bolzano, and Markus promises a lot of exciting things: Due to the "Clash of Cultures", Italian and German influences, but also Art Nouveau, are to be discovered there. Details of the exact program, including a creative lunch, can be found on the WEI SRAUM website to find out more.

Independently of the guided Typowalks, you can use the free app to explore five of the themed tours on your own. The routes lead to 27 stations in Innsbruck with typographic treasures, and the app provides historical, political, economic and cultural background information.

Personally, I always prefer guided tours, but I think this app is a great idea. Independent of time and with a smartphone in your hand, it offers an educational, entertaining and unique Innsbruck experience. A cool offer that I would like to try out myself as soon as possible.

The free Typowalks have been an important fixture in the program of the WEI SRAUM. Designforum Tirol. The association has been organizing top-class lectures, workshops and exhibitions since 2005 - since 2014 at its permanent location in Andreas-Hofer-Straße. As the name "Designforum" suggests, the WEI SRAUM is an important fixture in the Tyrolean design scene. Anyone interested in design will always find inspiration and a stimulating exchange of ideas there. At least that's my own experience.

So far, the Typowalks have attracted a diverse audience: from young to old, professionals as well as people from outside the industry. And the great thing is that the guided tours will continue to take place, about twice a year. I am convinced that Markus will never run out of topics and ideas. And he says himself: "I could write a book about it." Let's hope he does, because he would have a lot to tell.

I would like to thank Markus Weithas for his time, the wealth of information and the pictures he kindly provided.

Cover picture: the Stockereck in Innsbruck, © Markus Weithas

• WEI SRAUM. Designforum Tirol: Andreas-Hofer-Straße 27, 6020 Innsbruck, info@weissraum.at, www.weissraum.at
• App Typowalks Innsbruck
• Blog article by Anna Krepper (2017)
• Article in the 6020 city magazine (2020)