Wedged Serifs
Horizontal Cross Bar
Old Style Upright Slanted Stress
History The main characteristics of oldstyle typefaces are low contrast with diagonal stress, cove or bracketed serifs, and a handwriting influence. The earliest old style typefaces have very minimal contrast, and a sloped cross-bar on the lower-case “e”. Renaissance old style typefaces were created in Italy and France.
21st
14th
Application Excellent for large amount of body texts. Old Style figures blend in well within a paragraph of text while lining figures work well with all caps and when alignment is more important than blending in.
Wishing Crane It is said that a thousand folded cranes, one for each year of its life, makes a wish come true. After the end of World War II, the folded origami cranes also came to symbolize a hope for peace through Sadako Sasaki and her unforgettable story of perseverance.
C
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Perpetua 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Galliard 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Sabon 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Bembo 16/19
Greater contrast between thick/thin strokes
Horizontal Serifs
Transitional Vertical Stress
History
When the fonts of John Baskerville were introduced in the mid-eighteenth century, their sharp forms and high contrast were considered shocking. Transitional type is so-called because of its intermediate position between old style and modern.
21st
14th
These typefaces have sharper serifs and a more vertical axis than humanist letters. It is often the default typeface for software applications.
Flapping Crane Fleeting like a dream, yet exalted in all forms, the flapping crane brings long life, wisdom, fortitude, and good luck as it graces the world with every stroke of its majestic wings.
C
Application
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Baskerville 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u vwxyz Bookman 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Clearface 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z C a l e d o n i a 16 /19
Abrupt Serifs
Contrasting Curves
Modern Upright Stress
History Firmin Didot created the first modern Roman typeface in 1784, and he’s remembered today as the namesake of Neoclassical typefaces that exquisitely captured the Modern style. It first graced the printed page in 1784.
21st
14th
Application Modern serif fonts display extreme contrast with long thin serifs and vertical stress. This group of typefaces, which became popular in the late 1700s, is less readable and normally used in larger sizes.
Nesting Crane Even when nesting, the crane is graceful in form. Unrelenting to the calamity of the world, it pauses to reflect the calmness within one’s mind, culling spiritual peace.
C
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o pqrstuv w xyz Antic Didone 16/19
A B C D H I J K O P Q R V W X a b c d h i j k l p q r s t u Bodoni
E F G L M N S T U Y Z e f g m n o v w x y z 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Didot 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z AsterEF 16/19
Squared Serif
Minimal Stroke Contrast
Slab Serif Small Aperture
History Slab serif fonts became popular in the early 1800s. The serifs are squared and similar in weight to the lines of character bodies. The slab style reflects the popularity of everything Egyptian during the time. Major discoveries, like the Rosetta Stone in 1798, resulted in “Egyptomania”.
21st
14th
Application Slab serif typefaces are most often used as display or headline fonts. Other slab serif fonts include Clarendon, Lubalin Graph, Rockwell, Memphis and Stymie.
Kabuto Helmet From the warring eras of Japan, the kabuto helmet served as a safeguard and emblem of noble samurais. The helmet’s tehen kanamono (ornament) usually represents the warrior’s clan.
K
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o pqrstuvwxyz Clarendon 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o pqrstuvwxyz Alfa Slab One 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o pqrstuvwxyz Bevan 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Rockwell 16/19
Contrasting Strokes
Accentuated Curve
Script
Sans Serif
History Based on the developments and writings of 17th and 18th century handwriting masters, casual scripts developed in the 20th century as a result of photo-typesetting and are more varied and the inconsistencies appear to have been a result of using a wet pen rather than a pen nib.
21st
14th
Application Fonts that fall into the script category are those that have the appearance of hand lettering with a brush, calligraphy pen or pencil. They can be further broken up into the very elegant or formal style that looks like traditional calligraphy and the more rough and ready casual style.
Elder Tortoise While the crane oversees the world from above, the tortoise carries the world on its back. Filled with infinite knowledge, it has no contemporaries in its ageless footsteps.
K
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Dancing Script 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Pinyon Script 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Arizonia 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Brush Script Std 16/19
Minimal Stroke Contrast
Whimsical Curves
Decorative Varying Stress
History Decorative and display fonts became popular in the 19th century and were used extensively on posters and advertisements. This style of type and lettering is artistic and eye-catching in a way that wasn’t considered previously.
21st
14th
Application These typefaces are often developed with a specific use in mind and are designed for larger point size use in headlines, posters and billboards.
Paper Cup Simple, elegant, and functional, the paper cup is not only an art form, but also comprehensive. It holds what others cannot hold and hides what other cannot hide.
K
A B C D H I J K O P Q R V W X a b c d h i j k l p q r s t v Coil
E F G A B C D E F G L M N H I J K L M N S T U O P Q R S T U W X Y Z Y Z V e f g a b c d e f g m n o h i j k l m n o w x y z p q r s t u v w x y z 16/19 Lower East Side 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t v w x y z InvacuoCloak 16/19
A B C D H I J K O P Q R V W X a b c d h i j k l p q r s t v Ergonome
E F G L M N S T U Y Z e f g m n o w x y z 16/19
Mathematical Strokes
3.141592
Geometric Sans Serif
Symmetrical Stress
History This category contains typefaces in the geometric sans-serif classification. They first appeared in the early 1920s and are characterized by geometric construction suggesting use of a compass.
21st
14th
Application These sans serifs are constructed of straight, monolinear lines and circular or square shapes. This can make them very cold and clinical, but also quite simple. The starkness of most geometric sans serifs makes for great headings, but they are usually less than ideal for long paragraphs.
Cubic Balloon Solid, yet light, the cubic balloon appears to hold the weight of a thousand cranes. However, its concrete form is a paradox to its imponderous whole. It serves as a keepsake for one’s memories, up in the air, lost in the clouds.
B
E F G L M N S T U Y Z e f g m n o w x y z 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o pqrstuvwxyz Aldrich 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o pqrstuvwxyz Comfortaa 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o pqrsvwxyz Plaster 16/19
A B C D H I J K O P Q R V W X a b c d h i j k l p q r s t u v Bauhaus 93
Dramatic thin & thick strokes
Blackletter Diagonal thin serifs
History Based on Gothic type and late medieval calligraphy, these styles range from those marking the beginning of Gothic printing to the ornate Gothic types of 19th century Germany. This category also includes faces with a Gothic look but created by modern type designers.
21st
14th
Application Blackletter types include the Ă&#x; character and ligatures (ch, sch,tz,etc.) and therefore have a narrower character width than roman style types. Our selection includes types in Old English and blackletter styles.
Grand Lily Lavender, but not lavender, a flower, but not a flower, the Grand Lily is a testament to all that is not. Like the darkest black amongst the brightest white, it devoids the “between� with its encompassing petals, each pointing to the directions of life.
B
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Textur 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Old English 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Fraktur 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Barron 16/19
Low contrast between strokes
Humanist Sans Serif
Open Aperture
History The grandparent of almost all popular serif faces today, humanist typefaces succeeded our Blackletter friends between 1460-1470 and were modeled after early Italian humanist writers. Most want to say that humanist and old face are one and the same, but they are more like siblings or first cousins.
21st
14th
Application Although the influence of Humanist types is far reaching, they aren’t often seen these days. Despite a brief revival during the early twentieth century, their relatively dark color and small x-heights have fallen out of favor. However, they do deserve our attention because they are the great grandparents of today’s types.
Lavish Tie The tie’s stylish elegance completes all manners of apparels. Its lavish form gestures the refinement of those it’s catering to, while preserving its own allure. Simple and clean, or wild and whimsical, the tie takes on the personifcation of its adorner.
X
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Whitney 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Freight Sans 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Open Sans 16/19
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Cantarell 16/19
Sleight height to width proportion
Minimal stem thickness
Grotesque Sans Serif
History
Eliptical stress
The name came from the Italian word ‘grottesco’, meaning ‘belonging to the cave’. In Germany, the name became Grotesk, which took on the meaning of cave (or grotto) art. Nevertheless, some said the term was derived from the surprised response of typographers.
21st
14th
Spring Cicada Unlike summer cicadas, the spring cicadas are vibrant, whimsical, and youthful. Though few in numbers, they coat the forest in an emerald shell, glistening in response to the embrace of warmer weather.
K
Application
In the art world, grotesques are ornamental arrangements of arabesques with interlaced garlands and small and fantastic human and animal figures, usually set out in a symmetrical pattern around some form of architectural framework, more specifically, the grotesque forms on Gothic buildings.
A B A B C C D D E E F F G G H I K L H I JJ K L M M N N O O P P Q Q R R S S T T U U V W Y Z V W X X Y Z aa b b cc d d ee ff gg h ii jj kk ll m m nn oo h p qq rr ss tt u u vv w w xx yy zz p Textur 16/19 Geneva 16/19
A B B C D E F G G H I JJ KK LL MM N H N O O P Q Q R S T U U V W Y Z W XX Y aa b b cc dd ee ff gg h i i jj kk ll mm nn oo h pp q q rr ss tt u u vv ww xx yy zz Old English 16/19 Letter Gothic 16/19
A B C D A B C D E E F G G H II JJ K L M M N O P Q R S O S TT U V W XX Y V W Y Z b cc d d ee f g a b h i j kk ll m m nn oo h p qq rr s t u v w x y zz p Fraktur Sans Pro 16/19 Source
A B A B C D D E E F F G G H I H I JJ KK L M M N O Q R R S S TT U O P P Q V W W X X Y Z V Y a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p qq rr s t u v w x y z Barron 16/19 Trade Gothic Std 16/19