The adventurous Dutch design studio Autobahn is a typography-driven group that is building a reputation for responding to briefs with solutions that are always interesting and often unique. Formed in 2006 by Maarten Dullemeijer and Rob Stolte, their highly analytical approach towards design leads to surprising re-interpretations of how type and graphics can be presented, attracting not only kudos but many awards.

Graduates of the Utrecht School of the Arts, Maarten and Rob developed, ‘Freshfonts’, a project that would have a great influence on their design thinking. Invited to attend a Pecha Kucha night, instead of giving a standard presentation they experimented with the idea of generating fonts with materials that come from tubes: toothpaste, tomato ketchup and hair gel. Two versions of the hand-made fonts emerged: a normal one and another affected by gravity. The project turned into a bigger success than they expected and, most importantly, their slumbering love for typography was awakened and fuelled with a new sensibility.

Maarten and Rob have since taken every opportunity to experiment with materials, production methods and the re-invention of old typographic techniques. When this exploration is combined with a clear concept and big gestures, the result is a typical Autobahn design.