Motter Bregenz (also known as Motter Ornata) is one of the earliest typeface designs by Othmar Motter, drawn in 1970. To my knowledge, and unlike Tektura, Alustyle, Ombra, and Femina, it wasn’t released for phototypesetting or dry-transfer lettering. Motter used it in his own work, though.

One beautiful example is the sign for the music school in Hard. The school was established in 1971. It’s not clear how old the sign is, though. Hard is a town in the westernmost Austrian state of Vorarlberg. This is where Motter was born on this date in 1927, and where he set up his own studio in 1950, together with Sylvester Lička. They soon were joined by Hans Kaiser and made themselves a name as Vorarlberger Grafik.

Othmar Motter passed away in 2010. In the same year, his Motter Bregenz was released in digital form through Motter Fonts. The label is run by Othmar’s son Siegmund, who himself is an accomplished graphic designer and has tried his hands at typeface design, too.

Earlier this year, Triest Verlag has published the long-awaited Motter biography, edited and designed by Elias Riedmann and titled Othmar Motter – Meister der Extrabold (“Master of the Extrabold”). On 352 pages, the richly illustrated book presents a wealth of information about Motter’s life and career, his work with Vorarlberger Grafik, his numerous logo designs, and of course his typefaces. The images shown in this post were kindly provided by Triest Verlag – danke!

Othmar Motter in front of the building (undated), before the tree was planted that now obscures the sign.
Image courtesy of Triest Verlag.