Futura type specimen

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Futura means ‘future’ in Latin.

Today it also looks like the past and the present.


Futura is a geometric sans serif typeface based on the forms of circle, square and triangle. The uppercase le have proportions similar to those of classical Roman capitals. The typeface is characterized by long descen and ascenders which rise above the cap line, making generous leading a must. Its wide range of styles and weights make it exceptionally versatile and useful for b body and display text.


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Though the geometric shapes that the typeface is based on are closely associated with the Bauhaus aesthetic, Futura designer Paul Renner was not in fact a member of the school. Regardless, it is believed that Futura was heavily influenced by the minimalist yet experimental spirit of the Weimar era.


My na me’s Fu tura

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I’m Futura Display


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The first iterations of Futura were released by Germany’s Bauer Type Foundry in 1928. This included Futura Light, Medium, Bold and Bold Oblique. In 1929, an alternate design that used stencil letter forms was released; it was called Futura Black. Futura Display came out in 1932 and featured angular strokes that resulted in rectangular letters.


But who is Paul Renner? ink trap

above cap line

almost circular

pinching

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In case you didn’t catch it before, Renner designed Futura.

Renner was born in Germany in 1878. He died in 1956.

Futura was his first typeface, and arguably his best. The other typefaces he designed are Plak, Ballade, Renner Antiqua and Steile Futura (which is not in the Futura family).

Renner opposed the Nazis and was friends with Jan Tschichold.

Despite his thoroughly modern typeface, Renner despised modern culture. He hated jazz, films and dancing.

He wrote several texts including Typografie als Kunst. Typografie als Kunst means Typography as Art.


Futura can also be condensed. But just because it’s condensed doesn’t mean it can’t have weight. It can have lots and lots of weight.

This is Fu art directors most overus Satan of clic the campaig Condensed i


utura Extra Bold Condensed. In 1992 some s decided they were sick of that particular font, calling it “the sed typeface in advertising history” (and also “the Great ches and the Little Satan of convenience”). Needless to say, gn against the font was unsuccessful and Futura Extra Bold is still (over)used in advertising to this today.


So who likes Futura?


Almost everybody. The typeface has been described as striking, tasteful, radical, crisp, clean, efficient, forward, elegant and timelessly modern. Director Stanley Kubrick was known for his penchant for Futura, and Wes Anderson has followed suit using Futura almost exclusively in his films. Artist Barbara Kruger uses Futura Bold Oblique overlaid on stark black and white photos in her subversive pieces, not to mention the countless companies which employ Futura in their logos.


Some people love Futura so much that they were outraged when Swedish retailer Ikea switched their iconic catalog’s typeface to Verdana. Futura Book, 34 pt

Some people love Futura so much that they were outraged when Swedish retailer Ikea switched their iconic catalog’s typeface to Verdana. Verdana Regular, 30 pt

Which do you prefer?


By now you probably really want to play with Futura on your own. But beware! There are many imitators, and you should only want the best Futura money can buy.

And that Futura is Futura ND, distributed by Spain’s Neufville Digital. Neufville Digital can claim their Futura is the most authentic digital version of the typeface, as their Futura is the only version based on the original sources from Bauer.

They issued Futura ND in 1999, and include small caps and old-style figures among their Futura offerings even though they were dropped from the original metal version of the typeface.


*a typeface by paul renner


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