Commentary

Ed Benguiat Plays TDC

Typographica on April 6, 2004

Those of you anywhere near New York City on April 14 will do well to go see Ed Benguiat for free at the Type Directors Club Salon. In my short experience, he is typography’s most entertaining speaker. Saw him at TypeCon2001 and he was a joy.

Crazy Ed Fact from Macworld – April, 2001:

After serving in the Air Corps in Italy, he made a name for himself as a jazz drummer under the moniker ‘Eddie Benart,’ playing with bands led by Stan Kenton and Woody Herman.

6 Comments

Jon Young says:

04.06.04 at 2:44 pm

I love that my Maryland license plate is set in Benguiat. Not sure which drawing of Benguiat in particular though…

I’m curious, what makes Ed Benguiat such an entertaining speaker, Stephen? I remember seeing Jim Parkinson and Dave Farey at TypeCon 2002, and I looooved every minute. They were such “wise guys”. Great sarcasm.
Marc Oxborrow says:

04.06.04 at 9:38 pm

I saw Mr. Benguiat back in early ’90s at SVA (I think) in New York. Don’t remember much about the actual content, but he rambled a bit, ranted a bit, and was, as Stephen says, very entertaining.
Bobby Henderson says:

04.08.04 at 8:40 pm

I wish I still lived in New York to be able to see people like Ed Benguiat speak (along with being able to visit The Society of Illustrators Museum).

I felt lucky to be a student at School of Visual Arts when Benguiat had a great exhibit (called “Man of a Thousand Faces) there back in the late 1980′s. The show had lots of BIG and precise character drawings. I still have copy of the show flyer.
Tamye Riggs says:

04.13.04 at 2:30 pm

Attending an Ed Benguiat presentation is a real treat. I’m happy to report that he’ll be a speaker at TypeCon2004 in SF this July. Looking forward to hearing more of Ed’s stories, and what he’s got going on these days. Jim and Dave are also set for a dual presentation, which will be another great show.
Randy Jones says:

04.14.04 at 5:50 am

I had the opportunity to study under Ed at SVA a few years ago. He is the real deal, with skills that can only come after drawing literally thousands of fonts. While I’ve not heard him at a speaking gig, in the classroom he tells story after story all with a definite old school/non-PC bent, and meanwhile drops nuggets of typographic gold. Little type rules, sayings to help you remember proper glyph structure, etc.

But you gotta be paying attention ’cause they go by fast and before you know it you’re hearing about flying photo-recon over Germany and the good old days with Herb Lubalin. I’m going to have to wait for TypeCon, but by all means go if you have the chance.

The other thing to say about Ed is that he loves to see people getting excited about type and carrying the torch. Go up and talk to him after. Bring a sample to show him and ask his opinion. � R
ed benguiat says:

09.14.11 at 1:19 pm

I really enjoyed reading all the fun things about myself.
Stop in and say hello anytime.
I’m still doing my thing at The School of Visual Arts
And I love you all.
Ed Benguiat