About the Studio
René Bieder is a type designer and the founder of Studio René Bieder. Following several years as an art director and graphic designer, he established the studio in 2012. With more than two decades of experience in graphic design and typography, he develops retail and custom typefaces for brands, agencies, and designers worldwide. His clients include Volkswagen, Disney, and Google, alongside international design agencies and independent studios. While most projects are developed directly by René, the studio works with a trusted network of specialists when additional expertise is required.
Approach
I believe a custom typeface should feel like a natural extension of the brand it represents. That starts with looking beyond the visual brief to understand its character, values, language and ambitions. I translate these insights into letterforms, exploring the right balance of expression and individuality to give the typeface a distinctive voice of its own. Ideas are tested in real applications from an early stage, making sure every design decision works not only in isolation, but as part of the wider brand. The process is collaborative and iterative. Working closely with the client or agency, I refine and shape the typeface until character and function come together in a design that feels considered, distinctive and true to the brand.
Custom typefaces
Every brand has its own character, requirements, and way of communicating. A custom typeface translates these qualities into typography, creating a distinctive typographic identity designed specifically for its application. Projects range from subtle modifications of existing typefaces to fully custom font families, developed in close collaboration with brands, agencies, and design teams. From initial concept and design to font production and final delivery, the entire process can be handled by the studio.
Retail typefaces
Our retail library reflects more than fifteen years of type design, bringing together contemporary typefaces developed for a wide range of applications. Every family is shaped by the same commitment to clarity, character, functionality, and long-term usability. Retail fonts can also serve as the foundation for custom modifications and bespoke developments.
Typeface modifications
Not every project calls for a typeface developed from the ground up. Existing retail typefaces can be refined to meet specific branding requirements, from subtle adjustments to extensive character modifications. The result is a tailored solution that builds on an established design while remaining distinctive to its application.
Wordmark design and refinement
Whether refining or reworking an existing wordmark or developing a typographic concept from an existing strategy, this service focuses on bringing ideas to their strongest visual form. Letterforms, proportions, spacing, and details are carefully considered and refined to achieve a balanced and distinctive result.
Language Extension
All retail typefaces support the most common Western European languages by default. Additional language support, including Cyrillic and Greek, is available on request. Custom characters such as logos, icons, and other brand-specific symbols can also be integrated where required.
Type consultation
Drawing on a background in both graphic design and type design, Studio René Bieder advises brands, agencies, and design teams on selecting, modifying, and developing typographic systems that balance expression, functionality, and consistency.
“Our heritage and brand were made manifest by René’s beautiful letterforms.”
Andy Fitzsimon
Director Brand Strategy — SUSE
“René did not just give our corporate design its unique expression, but rather shaped the distinct look of our tech player identity.”
Olaf Hermann
Brand Design — Volkswagen Group
“René captures the essence of a brand – and lets it speak through letters.”
Dominik Langegger
Head of Design — Solid & Bold