About
The idea
We loved the fun and nostalgia of traditional alphabet magnets, but thought it was a waste that they couldn't actually hold anything. So we set out to redesign an icon, starting from scratch with our own bespoke typeface, monochrome colour palette and the best quality materials we could get our hands on.
Founders
Wordbits began as the passion-project of friends Annabel Jenkins and Shanna Hermansen, expats from New Zealand and Australia respectively, while both living in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since our successful 2019 crowdfunding campaign (check it out here) a lot has happened; four children, two weddings and a divorce, as well as being stocked in amazing design and gift stores around the world. In 2023 Annabel returned home to New Zealand where she lives with. her two small children and continues Wordbits from the beautiful seaside village of Akaroa.
Typeface
While interviewing for a job in a well known Danish design agency, Annabel mentioned to Creative Director Muggie Ramadani, that she was working on an alphabet magnet side project. Inspired, he volunteered to get involved but insisted that they create their own typeface. Muggie worked closely with type designer Trine Rask to develop the Wordbits typeface, taking into account the unique manufacturing considerations and ways alphabet magnets are used. For example we noticed through prototyping that children who couldn't yet spell still liked to make pictures from the letters, so we made the shapes open and symmetrical to maximise playfulness. The W doubles for an M, the 9 and the 6, the O and 0 are all interchangeable. There's a huge amount of thought and care in the curves and lines of every character.
Mustard Made Collaboration
When Becca and Jess from Mustard Made reached out during our Kickstarter launch campaign they were already on our "dream collaborator" list. Together we created Mustard x Wordbits colours in two of their signature shades: Mustard and Blush. One of our very first stockists, we have learned a lot from these two incredible women who we now consider friends.