Visit
Experience Letterform Archive’s home in San Francisco or visit virtually from anywhere in the world.
Exhibition Hours
Thursday: 1:00pm–8:00pm free to all!
Friday–Sunday: 11:00am–6:00pm
Closed Monday–Wednesday
Getting to the Archive
Visitor Entrance
Enter under the glass awning at 2325 Third Street and take the elevator to Floor 4R. If you arrive after 6:00pm, or anytime on Sunday, please ring us on the call box to be buzzed into the building.
Parking
Street parking is limited. There is a paid parking lot at Illinois and 20th Streets.
Public Transit
Several Muni lines stop directly in front or within a block of the Archive, including the 48 Quintara/24th Street bus, the 55 Dogpatch bus, the 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express bus, and the T Third Street Metro Light Rail.
Ways to Experience the Archive
Onsite
- Visit the current exhibition.
- Book a guided in-person tour of the collection or exhibition for your team or class.
- Request a self-guided research visit.
- Attend a lecture, salon, tour, or special event.
- Participate in an in-person workshop.
- Get books and gifts in our shop during open hours.
Online
- Visit the current online exhibition.
- Book a guided online tour of the collection or exhibition for your team or class.
- Browse the Online Archive.
- Attend an online lecture, salon, or tour.
- Participate in an online workshop.
- Order a book or request an image.
On View in the Main Gallery
Piet Zwart: Brand Architect
The designer who showed how type alone could carry a brand’s voice.
The brilliant Dutch modernist Piet Zwart described himself as a “typotekt”. The term captured his multidisciplinary approach, creating a legacy that bridged architecture, industrial design, interior design, graphic design, typography, and photography. Drawing from Letterform Archive’s deep collection of Zwart’s work, this exhibition of 200 objects explores his iconic graphic identity programs for Nederlandse Kabelfabriek Delft (NKF), Dutch Postal Telegraph and Telephone Company (PTT), Bruynzeel Lumber Company, and others.
From the 1920s to the 1960s, Zwart profoundly influenced both the Netherlands and the international graphic design community, and many of his works are celebrated as milestones in design history. His signature photomontages, playful type compositions, and bold color fields elevated everyday subjects into platforms for graphic experimentation, leaving a lasting imprint on future generations of designers.
On View in the Reading Room
Localization: 15 Years of LetterSeed
A pop-up exhibition co-curated by Chris Hamamoto, Su Hyun Leem, and Jeewoon Jung
On view August – November 2025
Explore the rich typographic landscape of Korean typography and specifically Hangul, the unique writing system of the Korean language, through the lens of a single publication, LetterSeed, which has been published by the Korean Typographic Society since 2010.
Gallery Open Hours & Admission Fees
Open Hours
Thursday: 1:00pm–8:00pm free to all!
Friday–Sunday: 11:00am–6:00pm
Closed Monday–Wednesday
Admission Fees
Member: free
General: $10
Student, senior, educator, people with disabilities: $5
Children 12 & under: free
Tickets also available at the door.
Holiday Schedule
Letterform Archive's exhibition and all services are closed on the following public observances:
New Year’s Day (1/1/24)
President’s Day (2/19/24)
Memorial Day (5/27/24)
Juneteenth (6/19/24)
Independence Day (7/4/24)
Labor Day (9/2/24)
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (10/14/24)
Thanksgiving Day (11/28/24)
Christmas Day (12/25/24)
Discounts
Thursdays
On every Thursday, all year long, enjoy free admission!
North American Reciprocal Museum Association
Present your current (digital) membership card, marked with the gold North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Program sticker, to enjoy free admission and a 10% discount in the shop Questions? Please contact our Membership office at [email protected].
Museums for All
Letterform Archive offers individuals and families (up to four individuals) admission, including access to special exhibitions, to the Museum for $1 for guests who hold an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. No need to show your EBT card for admission — just say you’d like the “Museums for All” rate.
People with Disabilities
Letterform Archive offers $5 dollar general admission for people with disabilities. Drivers and care assistants supporting visitors with disabilities will be given free access to the Museum. Anyone who self identifies as having a disability is eligible for this discount; no verification required.
Guest Policies
Face Coverings
Face coverings are optional but encouraged. Surgical masks are available upon request at the ticketing desk for those who would like one.
Food and Beverages
No food, bottled water, or other beverages are permitted in the galleries. Sealed food or drink in a bag or purse is permitted. If you have a medical need for water, please see the ticketing desk.
Infant Feeding
We allow breastfeeding and bottle-feeding in all spaces. Bottles should remain under the control of an adult in the gallery spaces.
Photography
We encourages photography for personal (non-commercial) use, unless otherwise noted. Tag us on social!
Backpacks & Large Items
Backpacks must be worn on the front, carried on your side like a briefcase, or left behind the front desk. Letterform Archive does not have the ability to store over-sized items.
Pen Policy
Only pencils are permitted in the galleries; no pens or other art materials. Pencils are available from the ticketing desk.
Amenities
Elevators
From street level, one does not need to use any steps or pass through any but accessible doors.
Restrooms
Letterform Archive offers accessible gender neutral restrooms during weekday hours.
Bike Parking
Free, on-street bike parking is available outside the 3rd St entrance. Letterform Archive assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to property left at bike parking.
Seating
We are happy to provide seating upon request.
Wi-Fi
We are happy to connect you to our Wi-Fi! Just ask at the front desk.
Shop
Letterform Archive publishes exquisite books on graphic design, typography, and lettering, drawing from its unprecedented collection to tell rich stories with exceptional reproduction and unique design.
Contact Guest Services
+1 415 802 7485
[email protected]