Okay Type is a small design studio in Chicago dedicated to making top-notch typefaces for designers, brands, and businesses.
Email Okay Type at:
ok@yty.pe
Hey there! If you have any questions, requests, feedback, problems, or simply want to say hi, feel free to send me an email. Don’t be shy—your input is invaluable. Whether it's sharing your latest projects or sharing your thoughts on some esoteric typographic detail, I’m always ready to talk about font stuff. ---------- Jackson
Elsewhere on the Internet
Bluesky: @okaytype.com
Mastodon: typo.social/@okay
Instagram: okaytype
Twitter: @okaytype R.I.P.
Github: okay-type
Codepen: okay-type
Snail Mail
Okay Type, LLC
2537 N Avers Av
Chicago, IL
60647, USA
About Okay Type
Jackson Showalter-Cavanaugh is the founder and sole designer behind Okay Type, a boutique typeface design studio nestled in Chicago’s vibrant Logan Square neighborhood. Operating from his home studio, he embraces an intentionally measured approach to type design, prioritizing craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. This dedication to quality has enabled him to create distinguished typefaces that serve the needs of discerning designers, prestigious brands, and businesses worldwide.
A Quick Biography
Jackson Showalter-Cavanaugh studied Communication Design at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. After graduation, he cut his teeth at VSA Partners, a strategic design consultancy in Chicago, where he honed his expertise in corporate communications and branding. In 2008, a move to Brooklyn marked his transition into custom font and logotype design. He launched Okay Type when he released Alright Sans. Alright was an immediate success, recieving numerous design accolades, and establishing Okay Type as an important (but small) type foundry.
After returning to Chicago (turns out, I’m midwestern), Jackson continued to elevate Okay Type’s reputation with the release of two significant typefaces: the revisionist-Baskerville Harriet and the eponymous Okay, both of which received widespread recognition and awards from the design community. His latest typeface, Euchre, a super-charged sans serif designed for text, is also racking up the awards and kudos.
While maintaining a selective presence at prestigious typography conferences such as TypeCon, ATypI, and Typographics, Jackson generally prefers not to leave the house. He occasionally shares his expertise through lectures on typography and Chicago’s rich type history, and leads specialized walking tours of Printer's Row, offering intimate insights into the neighborhood's storied printing heritage.
Oh, and the cat’s name is Books. He can’t kern but he’s cute.
Awards and Stuff
Check out the impressive array of awards, interviews, and other stuff that Okay Type has earned over the years. While this list might not be exhaustive (I admit, I’m not the best at keeping track), it’s a glimpse into our closet of accomplishments. From prestigious awards to notable features, our journey is marked by recognition and accolades, and there's plenty more where that came from!
🏆 | 2024 | Communication Arts | “Typography Annual 14” (Euchre) |
🤓 | 2023 | Fontstand | “Normal stuff, just done really well” |
🤓 | 2020 | New City | “Chicago Design Fifty” |
🏆 | 2020 | Communication Arts | “Typography Annual 10” (Okay) |
🏆 | 2020 | Society of Typographic Arts | “STA 100” (Okay) |
📰 | 2019 | Page Magazine | “Font Menus” |
📰 | 2019 | New City | “Design”, featuring Okay |
🤓 | 2016 | Communication Arts | “Typography Annual 6” Judge |
🤓 | 2015 | Print Magazine | “9 Type Designers to watch in 2015” |
📰 | 2015 | C Magazine | College for Creative Studies Alumni Profile |
🤓 | 2015 | Communication Arts | “New Faces in American Type Design” |
🖼️ | 2014 | CHGO DSGN | Contemporary Design Exhibit, featuring Harriet |
🏆 | 2013 | Communication Arts | “Typography Annual 3” (Harriet) |
🏆 | 2012 | Society of Typographic Arts | “STA Archive 12” |
🖼️ | 2012 | Uppercase Magazine | Bitmap-inspired Letters |
🏆 | 2012 | Type Directors Club | An Excellent Font (Harriet) |
📰 | 2012 | Page Magazine | Introducing Harriet |
📰 | 2012 | Chicago Magazine | “G Whiz” |
🤓 | 2012 | Print Magazine | “Stereotype”, featuring Harriet |
📰 | 2010 | How Magazine | “Feeling Alright” |
🏆 | 2009 | Communication Arts | “Typography Annual 1” (Alright) |
📰 | 2005 | Big Idea Magazine | An interview |
📰 | 2005 | Metal Hammer Magazine | An interview |