4 ms·

From what I know, fonts are created by optical judgment, fiddling with kerning until it looks right and a tremendous amount of trial and error - this is because

From what I know, fonts are created by optical judgment, fiddling with kerning until it looks right and a tremendous amount of trial and error - this is because our vision system's complexity is compounded by "short-cuts" (optical illusions) that brain takes when processing dorsal and ventral pathways of the brain. In my view, this font is jarring to the eyes and ugly - I am not sure if this has to do with the programmatic nature (variable fonts are sort of programmatic, but with aforementioned manual adjustments) or if the font design itself. If you're a typographer, please share your thoughts and critique. A font such as this can be categorized under "Display font" but it would not pass the mustard for any serious candidate for text.

jhanschoo 7y ago
Not a typographer, but this is by no means an inferior typeface. You are correct that it is not suited for large bodies text, but this is shared by almost all geometric typefaces. Geometric typefaces are typically used to communicate minimalism and modernism. > it would not pass the mustard for any serious candidate for text. Many typefaces aren't designed for text but for identity. This one is very suitable for, say, asides and highlights in magazines, branding, poster copy, etc.. That it's amenable to modification because of the way it's coded points to its utility for these purposes. A google search gives me these: https://creativemarket.com/blog/geometric-sans-serif-fonts https://creativemarket.com/blog/geometric-sans-serif-fonts
- userbinator 7y ago
  It's very similar to Futura, another geometric typeface that was in fact used for a lot of body text.
  - spectramax 7y ago
    That's what it reminded me of too. Futura is also used for serious display text such as cockpit controls by Airbus (?) if I am not mistaken.
    - serpentines 7y ago
      Futura was implemented in the NASA standards manuals[0], and was then used by many others (including Boeing[1] and IBM) for cockpit lettering, plaques, and technical manuals/drawings. [0]: https://msis.jsc.nasa.gov/sections/section09.htm#_9.5_LABELING_AND https://msis.jsc.nasa.gov/sections/section09.htm#_9.5_LABELI... also linked here [2] [1] https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/133206-boeing-panel-fonts/ https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/133206-boeing-panel-fonts... [2]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19625838 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19625838
- spectramax 7y ago
  Yea I agree with you, it is more of a Display typeface. As far as ugliness or beauty, that is in the eye of the beholder. It reminds of me of Futura.

jhanschoo 7y ago

Not a typographer, but this is by no means an inferior typeface. You are correct that it is not suited for large bodies text, but this is shared by almost all geometric typefaces. Geometric typefaces are typically used to communicate minimalism and modernism. > it would not pass the mustard for any serious candidate for text. Many typefaces aren't designed for text but for identity. This one is very suitable for, say, asides and highlights in magazines, branding, poster copy, etc.. That it's amenable to modification because of the way it's coded points to its utility for these purposes. A google search gives me these: https://creativemarket.com/blog/geometric-sans-serif-fonts https://creativemarket.com/blog/geometric-sans-serif-fonts

userbinator 7y ago
It's very similar to Futura, another geometric typeface that was in fact used for a lot of body text.
- spectramax 7y ago
  That's what it reminded me of too. Futura is also used for serious display text such as cockpit controls by Airbus (?) if I am not mistaken.
  - serpentines 7y ago
    Futura was implemented in the NASA standards manuals[0], and was then used by many others (including Boeing[1] and IBM) for cockpit lettering, plaques, and technical manuals/drawings. [0]: https://msis.jsc.nasa.gov/sections/section09.htm#_9.5_LABELING_AND https://msis.jsc.nasa.gov/sections/section09.htm#_9.5_LABELI... also linked here [2] [1] https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/133206-boeing-panel-fonts/ https://www.avsim.com/forums/topic/133206-boeing-panel-fonts... [2]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19625838 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19625838
spectramax 7y ago
Yea I agree with you, it is more of a Display typeface. As far as ugliness or beauty, that is in the eye of the beholder. It reminds of me of Futura.