U N I V E R S
DEBERNY & PIEGNOT
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Univers was one of the first typefaces to create a large family containing a wide variety of weights with a consistent related design. The wide range of matching styles and weights allows a designer to work entirely in a single typeface. Univers was designed at nearly the same time as Helvetica and matches the neutral sans-serifs typefaces desired by Swiss style typography.
Designed by
Classification:
Foundry:
Adrian Frutiger
Neo-grotesque sans-serif
Deberny & Peignot Linotype
Released:
Variations:
1957
Zurich
The Frutiger Grid 2
Ultra Light
Univers is designed around a unique classification known as the Frutiger Numbering System. The system designates a two number classification based on the weight and width of the characters.
the first digit represents the weight of the characters
Ultra Black
10
[56]
the digit number represents the width and position of the characters
45
unive
53
54
55
univers
univers
unive
63
64
65
univers
univers
73
74
unive 75
univers
univers
univ
83
84
85
univers
univers
unive
1
Ultra Extended
39 univers 49
46
47
48
univers
univers
univers
56
57
58
univers 59
univers
univers
univers
univers
66
67
68
ers
univers 76
univers univers
vers
univers
ers
ers
86
ers univers
The system was also adopted for use in the Frutiger, Avenir, and Neue Helvetica typeface families
9
Ultra Condensed
65
47 Univers was quickly licensed and re-released by Monotype, Linotype, American Type Founders, IBM, and others for use in phototypsetting
75
Phototypesetting 47 Univers was one of the first typefaces to be designed to make us of the technology of phototypesetting. However, even though it was leading the charge within the industry, it was still released as metal letters. Phototypesetting involves shining light through a film negative of a single letter or symbol. a lens is placed behind the negative allowing you to make the character larger or smaller than the
negative’s initial point size. Finally the light hits photographic paper set on a roll in a light-proof cannister. Machines, such as the Diatype, allowed you to layout and print type in a compact space without the need for larger printers or individual lead type. The downside to these machines was that you couldn’t see what you layed out until after processing the photographic paper in a dark room.
75
Corporate Usage 47 Univers has enjoyed incredible success across decades of corporate branding and product design. It can be seen on Transportation signage across the world, including The Montreal Metro, Bay Area Rapid Transit, Toronto Subway stations, Frankfurt International Airport, and Walt Disney
World’s road system. Univers was used in both the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympic Games. It was also used for both George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaign logos. One of the most popular uses of Univers is the eBay logo (both the current and former).
AUDI
73
47 Audi designed it’s corporate identity around the font Audi Sans, a variant based on Univers, in the 1990s.
58
Q
W
E
A
S
D
47 Before switching to VAG Rounded in 2007, Apple Inc. used condensed oblique Univers for the key caps on their keyboards.
75
Univers 47 Univers has 27 unique weights and can have more depending on the foundary you purchase the Univers font family from.
Univers Thin Ultra Condensed Univer Light Ultra Condensed Univers Ultra Condensed Univers Light Condesned Univers Light Condensed Oblique Univers Condensed Univers Condensed Oblique Univers Bold Condensed Univers Bold Condensed Oblique Univers Light Univers Light Oblique Univers Roman Univers Oblique Univers Bold Univers Bold Oblique Univers Black Univers Black Oblique Univers Extra Black Extra Black Oblique Univers Extended Univers Extended Oblique Univers Bold Extended Univers Bold Extended Oblique Univers Black Extended Univers Black Extended Oblique Univers Extra Black Extended
39 49 59 47 48 57 58 67 68 45 45 55 56 65 66 75 76 85 86 53 54 63 64 73 74 83
Univers Extra Black Extended Oblique
84
49 Univer Light Ultra Condensed
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 47 Univers Light Condesned
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 57 Univers Condensed
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 45 Univers Light
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 55 Univers Roman
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 65 Univers Bold
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 85 Univers Extra Black ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 53 Univers Extended ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
73 Univers Black Extended ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
Design by Chancellor Gardiner WWU Fall 2018