Joseph Churchward QSM (born in 1933 in the ‘aiga Sā Anae in Samoa) is a Samoan New Zealander graphic designer and typesetter. He is famous for having designed fonts now used around the world. His designs were also used in the masthead of the newspaper The Evening Post. He has handcrafted over 570 original typefaces, and continues to do so to this day.[1]
Churchward moved to New Zealand in 1946 to study at Miramar South School in Wellington. In 1948, he obtained an Art Distinction Award in Lettering from Wellington Technical College and began a career as a commercial artist.[1]
He founded Churchward International Typefaces in 1969. German company Berthold Fototypes subsequently distributed his fonts throughout the world.[1]
Churchward has created more than 582 original typefaces. He is currently working on another 20, which will push him over his goal of 600.[2]
In 2008, a special exhibition was set up for his art at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[1]
Churchward is of Samoan, English, Scottish, Tongan and Chinese heritage.[2]
Churchward was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to typography.[3]
One of his typefaces, Churchward Design is used in the opening and closing titles of the French movie Le Magnifique.