Mark Simonson started his career as a graphic designer and illustrator in 1976. Early on, he worked as an art director on a number of national magazines and other publications. He was head designer and art director for Minnesota Public Radio and an art director for its sister company, Rivertown Trading Company, designing over 200 audio packages, including many by Garrison Keillor. He frequently did lettering as part of his design projects, and in 2000 he opened his own shop specializing in lettering and type design. He has been interested in type design since college and released his first fonts in 1992. He now has more than 100 fonts on the market. Type design is now the main focus of his activities.