Tracing the Origins of a Font: The Key to Revealing Its Heart
Do you ever stop and think about how many fonts are all around you at any given moment? How these fonts interact with each other, how some work amazingly well, and how sometimes it's as much about what the words look like as what the words are saying? Probably not, unless you work in the design field (or have some type of peculiar obsession). Then, you do take notice. Always.
You're unable to go into a restaurant without taking note of the font choices on the menu before taking note of what is on the menu itself... "What will it be, sir?" "I have no idea, actually. But what I do know is that this slab serif makes me uncomfortable."
It's not that you're some type of snob. It's just that you use them so much. They become ingrained in your brain. You fall in love with certain fonts; you loathe others. And while they play such an essential part in design, it's only natural to wonder where and when they came from. Each font is a unique piece of art and carries a personality that, when used right, can be magic.
Adrian Frutiger // Zurich, Switzerland // Univers
As a student in Zurich, Adrian Frutiger began work on the Univers font, which would eventually be released in 1957 by Deberny & Peignot in Paris. Like Helvetica, the style is neo-grotesque, but some of its slope and strokes give this versatile workhorse more character. As with any great personality, it's the hints of individuality that make it special.
Frutiger created a modified version of Univers specifically for the Paris Metro that is still used today.
"Think of it as a Swiss design with a French heart. As its weight increases, this personality becomes more apparent. The slight (but clearly visible) contrast in stroke weight, subtle angularity, and just the smallest hint of calligraphic brushstroke make Univers a typeface with a twinkle in its eye."
– Allan Haley, Director of Words & Letters at Monotype Foundry
Tracing fonts back to their origins can be very telling of that personality and greatly influence how we can better use them today. This amazing infographic highlights 50 of the most widely used typefaces by year designed, location and typographer:
