Letterform Archive

Great organization with amazing virtual programs, but visit on a free admission day. Plan to spend 15~20 min. I'm a huge fan of their online programs, so I was very excited to visit in person when I was in SF. I read reviews so I managed my expectations on the exhibit size. The improv jazz typography exhibit was on a local typographer and I wish the signage did more storytelling. Maybe a SF local who knew the designer or is a HUGE type nerd would've gotten more out of the exhibit. But even as a graphic designer that knows the basics of typography/type design, I felt the burden to make meaning out of what I was seeing. Getting into the building is a little confusing since it's an industrial building, there's no signage outside, and no instructions on how to use the intercom. I was lucky someone leaving let me in. No wait to enter the exhibit and I was actually the only guest the time I was there. I wanted to support and buy a small gift line a pen or stationary, but they mainly sell books. Too heavy to fly with and none of them caught my eye.

Looks cool but certainly has some operational issues. I wanted to visit and during times it’s listed as open, no answer at the call box or phone so no access. Checked website, google hours and IG and clearly doesn’t have any conflicting hours or changes. Just no one on site to let people access during public visiting hours. From reading other reviews, others have mentioned similar operational issues so I hope they can fix it and run like a consistent entity. Unfortunately, if you’re planning to visit, I would get a verbal confirmation over the phone they’re open when you plan to.

The best way to appreciate and experience the LA is to make a research appointment. When doing so, you tell them on the form what your lettering/typography/calligraphy interests are. The staff then pulls materials for you ahead of your visit, lays them out on a huge conference table and lets you sit and admire, take pictures, and notes. I highly recommend taking the time to book an appointment as you will be amazed by the treasures they will have!

Small but inspiring gallery. Great if you love graphic design and typography. They have a collection of about 85,000 objects and they are doing a couple shows a year. They also have a classroom and a type of graduate program for people who want to study typography and how to make fonts.

Always enjoy my visits. Amazing resources for artists, designers and illustrators. If you’re interested in reviewing the collection you must make a reservation.

Normally I do not leave scathing reviews. We are HUGE fans of Bauhaus. Never ever ever EVER go to this exhibition - we do not recommend. Zero stars for this place. If we could go Lower we would. They were closed. And locked. And wouldn’t pick up the phone. People left and we got in. They are nasty and rude and told us we are nasty and rude 😂🙈🤷‍♀️ Apparently there was a tiny note on a speaker. We looked as we left and still did not see it so… Zero signage. We were upset as we’d traveled a long way for this and she was so rude. Her friend, when hearing our complaints, told us to “not take it out on her.” I beg your pardon but we were most certainly not at that level. When they left and we apologized in case we were, she not only did not accept the apology but was snotty as heck. Wow. If you see signs or instructions in these pics please let us know. Edit and this is terrifying to us… someone from the museum called the next day (today) and told us we were wrong about everything we have said in this review and when you get right down to it, told husband to his face that we are lying and people were complaining about us as clients. We were there 90 seconds? Maybe the aforementioned people above? But to call is to harass us and harangue us instead of reaching out to work it out just kind of reinforces it all - to us anyway. She hung up on us.

I felt completely ripped off! One small room with some art is not worth the $10 for admission. Luckily, once I realized this was a single small room and not a museum the very kind worker there refunded our tickets. Thank you to them for being so great!

The Letterform Archive is awesome, they have typographic artifacts ranging from as far back as 2000 years ago. From cuneiform writing, to original black panther newspapers they truly have a wonderful collection. If you get a chance to have a tour with one of the librarians there, it's well worth it.