Skip to content
Zapf Alphabets | Myfonts

Fonts from Zapf Alphabets.

Zapf Alphabets

Discover the alphabets of Gudrun and Hermann Zapf, the legendary duo who elevated the art of calligraphy and type design to new heights. Born in 1918, their extraordinary journey has left a significant mark on the design landscape, with Hermann often hailed as one of the greatest type designers of all time.

Zapf Alphabets brings together the work of the acclaimed type designers Hermann and Gudrun Zapf who have been highly influential in paving the future of type design, calligraphy and computerised type setting. Today, the legacy is carried on by their three granddaughters Frieda, Isabel and Susanna.

Meet the team.

Type Designer & Calligrapher

Hermann Zapf (1918-2015)

A Master of calligraphy, a digital pioneer of his time as well as a dedicated teacher of his craft: Hermann Zapf is celebrated for creating iconic fonts like Palatino, Optima and Zapfino. His innovative blend of traditional calligraphy with modern typography techniques established him as one of the most influential figures in the field.

Type Designer, Calligrapher & Book-binder

Gudrun Zapf-von Hesse (1918-2019)

A book bound by Gudrun is an art form in itself. And also her typeface designs many of which she cut herself in metal are of particular elegance and beauty, always rooted in the tradition of calligraphy. Throughout her career, she has created numerous fonts such as Diotima, Columbine and Hesse Antiqua.

Creative Director

Frieda Zapf

Frieda is the creative master mind behind Zapf Alphabets. Holding degrees in fine art from Central Saint Martins and sociology from LSE, she uses her knowledge of the cultural sector to spread awareness of typography in innovative ways. She has worked for leading cultural institutions and artists and is currently based in Berlin, Germany.

Co-director

Isabel Zapf

As a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company, Isabel oversees the business side of Zapf Alphabets. With alphabets and design surrounding her since an early age, she highly appreciates aesthetics in daily life and sees typography as a powerful tool to get the right massages across.

Co-director

Susanna Zapf

Trained in business and law, Susanna has her eyes on the legal operations of the foundry. She is the youngest of the three sisters and passionate about letters as a tool for communication and debate of the critical topics in society.

Load more team members

Monotype fonts

Zapf Alphabets fonts are included with Monotype fonts.