Playtype Typography House & Concept Store in Copenhagen.

Playtype sits smack in the middle of Værnedamsvej, a bustling street full of restaurants and boutiques with a strong southern European vibe. Definitely worth a stop by if you’re in Copenhagen.

The Playtype interior was designed in-house, including the custom neon signage to the rear of the store.

The interior features an impressive array of posters from previous and current Playtype collections.

So, day after day I will ride my bike between Nørrebro and Vesterbro, and nearly every time I will ride straight past the front door of Copenhagen typography house Playtpe. Not from a lack of intrigue, more a lack of time, it took me a couple of months to finally step in the front door and learn a little more about the brand and it’s beautiful store. Designed in-house by the Playtype team none-the-less – a seriously talented crew. When I did finally head inside, the smiling Simone was there to greet me and teach me a thing or two about type. She also happens to be the head of PR at Playtype, not a bad person to cross the t’s and dot the i’s for me (you know, type stuff).

Made up of a self-confessed group of typology nerds, Playtype originated in 2010 out of Danish design and brand agency e-Types as a way of sharing their own type foundry with the greater public. What started as a pop-up shop selling typography filled usb-sticks and an assortment of stationary and posters, quickly gained traction with the local design savvy crowd. As a general rule with the local design scene, win over the Danes and the world awaits! This success has allowed Playtype to keep their Vesterbro shop front and also finds them being stocked all over Europe, parts of the US, and with huge success in Asia.

Playtype has presented their physical space as a minimalist canvas, used with great effect to display their ever-growing collections of paper goods and more permanent product range.

Notepads and mugs have been two of the staples of the Playtype range since its beginnings back in 2010.

Their entire poster and calendar range are available is beautiful Oak frames, or rolled and ready!!

I especially love the Danish specific letters, maybe due to having not quite mastered them in their aural form.

Playtype’s Concrete Letter series was produced in collaboration with Berlin Based, Danish Designer Sigurd Larsen.

Playtype has a style influenced by art nouveu and a clean and minimal look, led by prolific Danish type designer Jonas Hecksher, whose catalogue includes the font family for Danish newspaper Berlingske. The largest typeface ever produced in Denmark!! This minimal style has allowed Playtype to seamlessly move the concept of typology into the physical realms of clothing and bags, mugs, and even skateboards. Not one to do it alone, they have collaborated with companies including Berlin based furniture producer New Tendency (one of my absolute favorites), Danish bag connoisseurs Mismo, Danish menswear brand Soulland, and Danish architect/designer Sigurd Larsen, who you might remember from his Melbourne series of steel furniture.

I love the simplicity of the ceramic Copenhagen mug collection, just in case you forget where Playtype call home.

A range of Playtype notepads from various collections over the years.

Playtypes signature bold colours and minimalist use of typography is best witnessed in their range of posters.

Artist Susan Arnild provided her best marble texture impression for the FAUX series of posters.

Posters and stationary remains the core of Playtype’s physical presence and has become a staple of simple and minimal interiors throughout Scandinavia and beyond. After a number of experimental and collaborative pursuits to investigate the possibilities of type, they will be debuting their new collection in August with a strong focus on paper goods. Just in time for the long Danish winter. From personal experience, a sketchpad or two is a necessity during hibernation. This new range of posters, notebooks and sketchpads will feature bold primary colours with a strong influence from 60’s minimalist design. If their work over the last 5 years is any guide, I am positive this new look will be a hit near and far.

For all our Australian readers do not despair, Playtype is available in OZ through Beautiful Pages, The Minimalist, Urban Couture, The Standard Store, and Simple Form.

Skandinavisk blended these bold candles specifically for Playtype, again featuring their immaculate packaging.