I was initially skeptical, but the more I play around with Canva Affinity, the more I like it.
I love how quickly I can prototype a typeface idea in Fontstruct.
Even though it rained earlier, we got out to Gather Columbia late this afternoon. Lots of great food options. Fun atmosphere. Another cool addition to Columbia.
As I move into working on my dissertation, it feels strange to not have a “class” this semester. It’s been a long time since I wasn’t reviewing syllabi at the start of a semester…
2026: A Fresh Start
Each year, I set a theme for the year. Last year was incremental progress. I did write a lot during the year, and I released some new typefaces, but I wasn’t able to reach my health goals and organization is still something I want to continue to work on.
For this year, I’m excited about a fresh start. I start an exciting new job (that’s really a completely different career). I’ve finished all of my Ph.D. classwork, so I’m just focused on my dissertation now. With those two clean slates, I’m going to focus on building a healthy routine and organizational plan to support it. I’m optimistic about the year ahead.
Bob Wertz is a type designer, Ph.D. student and researcher living in Columbia, South Carolina. He’s been blogging since 2008.
Farewell 2025.
More Apple Logo Variations
One strange thing about Apple’s visual identity is that they allow logo variations that most brand managers would never approve. In the past, I’ve noted their environmental logo with a green leaf and their security logo that looks like a padlock. They have a gift logo that they use annually during the holidays and created a special logo for their opening of their Marina Sands store in Singapore.
Today, I saw another couple of variations to add to my list from the Apple Japan web site as part of their New Year’s Celebration:
For a company known for their branding, I think it’s fascinating to see all of these variations from Apple. Especially since it runs counter to what most brands do.
Bob Wertz is a type designer, Ph.D. student and researcher living in Columbia, South Carolina. He’s been blogging since 2008 and an Apple user since 1994.
Finally got to see my nephew’s basketball team. Helps when his team plays in a tournament five minutes from my house.
I’m watching the World Darts Championship on Peacock and I have so many questions. Apparently, they are currently doing a speed round, the crowd is wild, and a couple of spectators are dressed as Ronald McDonald.
Our travel plans for Christmas changed at the last minute, so Team Wertz took a day trip to the Isle of Palms and Charleston.
An exciting and hectic 2026 ahead
I was thinking this morning about goals and themes for 2026, but as I thought through my plans, I realized that 2026 is going to be a big year for me and my family.
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New job. I have a new job, and it’s a massive shift from what I’ve done for the last thirty years. I’m excited, but I have a lot to learn. Thankfully, I have a supportive team and I’m still at the university that I love. I officially worked a week in the new job in 2025, but I hit the ground running on January 2. Excited for the fresh start.
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Dr. Wertz? I’ve finished all of my coursework for my Ph.D in Mass Communications. The only requirements left are my comprehensive exams and my dissertation. In theory, I should be able to accomplish everything in time for a December hooding. That’s the goal, but we’ll see. With everything else going on in 2026, I may need to push things back a semester and finish in early 2027.
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Another grad. My middle child, Jill, will graduate from high school this year. Lots of traditions and celebrations ahead this spring, and then, late this summer, we move her into college. (She was just accepted into the University of South Carolina Honors College, which was really her first choice. One or two other schools out there that are a possibility, but hopefully, she’ll be on campus with her sister Norah next year.)
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Lacrosse. My youngest, Ryan, is an 8th grade lacrosse goalie. He’ll either be playing junior varsity lacrosse, or be on a C team. He’s reached the point where he’ll be playing with a travel team in the off season. So we’ll be shuttling him to and from practices, and traveling to games. It will be fun and I’m looking forward to the season, but it’s a lot of scheduling and logistics.
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Everything else. In addition to all of that, my wife is continuing to fly through her Ph.D. program and our oldest is getting closed to finishing her art education degree. We want to get healthier. I’ve got some projects to complete around the house. I’m still doing some type design and consulting.
So as I am thinking through my themes for next year — which I typically post on New Year’s Eve — I need to place them in the context of what all is going on in 2026. I’m excited for the year and really think 2026 will be an incredibly rewarding year for me and my family.
Bob Wertz is a type designer, Ph.D. student and researcher living in Columbia, South Carolina. He’s been blogging since 2008.
I just made the move from an iPhone 12 Pro to an iPhone 17. Lots of advancements over the last 5 years.
Christmas morning.
Merry Christmas from Team Wertz.
The renovated Finlay Park in Columbia is gorgeous. They did such a great job with the update and it’s now such a vibrant space for the community. Love it.
A cubano at Indah Coffee.
