The Linotype Compatil Type System

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The Linotype

Compatil

®

Type System

Designed for Financial Documents

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acde

exquisit fact letter text

The idea to develop a new typeface tailored to the special requirements of annual reports was born out of the ‘First Heidelberg Forum for Annual Reports 1998’.

The challenge was to provide a type system that delivered readability and multiple tonality while maintaining harmony throughout the wide range of different characters required in an annual report.

Linotype worked closely together with Professor Olaf Leu and his AnalyseTeam at the University of Applied Sciences, Mainz, who have been commissioned by Manager Magazin to judge its annual competition ‘Best Annual Reports’ since 1996. Reviewing work from 130 companies represented on six different stock markets, they made a number of observations over the years and raised several questions, particularly in regard to the legibility of the average annual report.

Modelling an annual report in a certain language and tonality essentially involves having a type system that can handle all eventualities. It must have multiple weights for emphasis as well as different styles for tone of voice and expression. It must have small caps to deal with the many acronyms, initials and uppercase characters required for product and company names, as well as the many styles of numbers that appear within the text. Most importantly it must have a structure that allows for the easy manipulation of figures.

Development work on the Compatil™ type system took almost two years. It was a unique project requiring the perfect marriage of four different styles in multiple weights into a type system suitable for variable use.

The original idea was to implement the four different type styles for different applications in the field of financial communications. However, as this brochure demonstrates, Compatil has a much wider range of applications than that.

The Compatil type system combines aesthetics with the ability to function on all aspects of communication across the whole media range.

2 | 3

Introduction

The need to read and absorb information quickly and easily has never been greater.

The amount of information available to us, either on paper or on screen, grows daily. It is essential to have a typeface that is both extremely legible as well as aesthetically pleasing.

Linotype’s Compatil is the first type system that incorporates such a comprehensive range of typographic features, delivering optimal legibility and design potential.

The metric and visual concept that is used for Compatil allows type styles to be mixed and interchanged seemlessly due to identical letterspacing within individual heights. This universal type system can be employed for virtually all aspects of corporate communication – from websites to annual reports as well as for mass composition for books, magazines and newspapers.

The Compatil type system is a model of technical innovation offering a new level of design quality.

The system is comprised of four different type styles: Compatil Exquisit, Compatil Fact, Compatil Letter and Compatil Text.

By maintaining a consistent letter width throughout each of the four type styles, this system allows the same character from each of the styles to be interchanged with one another, without having any effect on the width of the text.

Having equal proportions and identical gray tones inside each of the styles and weights allows all of the systems’s typefaces to be comfortably combined with one another and gives one the widest range of aesthetic combinations possible.

AaBb123 AaBb123 AaBb123 AaBb123 Compatil Exquisit

Compatil Fact

Compatil Letter

Compatil Text

All elements of the typeface – the aesthetics, legibility and the digital font technology – have been combined into a singular type system, where each component is compatible with all the others.

Combining multiple types into a modular system is

adapted to fit any design need and adjusted to any

unconventional, but it is the result of a complex and

specific content. All shades of emphasis are possible,

pioneering concept signalling a new direction in type

from delicate and slender to bold and eye catching.

design for modern communications. It is based on the

At the same time identical letterspacing and width

principal that not only must each individual character

of character make setting text technically simple while

be of the highest quality, but all elements must also

creating a consistent grey tone that is easy on the eye.

comprehensively combine within a standardised type system. The Compatil type system allows type to be

Compatil Compatil Compatil Compatil

All numerals have the same width in every style and weight.

[123$] [123$] [123$] [123$]

(456£) (456£) (456£) (456£)

[123$] [123$] [123$] [123$]

(456£) (456£) (456£) (456£)

[123$] [123$] [123$] [123$]

(456£) (456£) (456£) (456£)

[123$] [123$] [123$] [123$]

(456£) (456£) (456£) (456£)

4 | 5

Concept

Compatil Exquisit The development of this new type system was handled by a team of experts from Linotype.

Professor Reinard Haus led the design aspects together with Silja Bilz and Erik Faulhaber.

At all times, there was close collaboration between type designers and type programmers.

Compatil Fact The development of this new type system was handled by a team of experts from Linotype.

Professor Reinard Haus led the design aspects together with Silja Bilz and Erik Faulhaber.

At all times, there was close collaboration between type designers and type programmers.

Compatil Letter The development of this new type system was handled by a team of experts from Linotype.

Professor Reinard Haus led the design aspects together with Silja Bilz and Erik Faulhaber.

At all times, there was close collaboration between type designers and type programmers.

Compatil Text The development of this new type system was handled by a team of experts from Linotype.

Professor Reinard Haus led the design aspects together with Silja Bilz and Erik Faulhaber.

At all times, there was close collaboration between type designers and type programmers.

Compatil combines simple yet effective design with a highly innovative type system. The ability to easily set text with different but compatible styles opens up unlimited horizons for typographic creativity.

a a a a

The Compatil type system was created to allow different tones of text to be expressed and emphasised through compatible type styles. These expressive and emotional characteristics cover all possible applications and are fundamental for effective typography.

Compatil Exquisit gives the feelings of a poetic and Compatil Exquisit

poetic / narrative

narrative nature and possesses discriptive, distinguished and classic qualities.

Compatil Fact combines the qualities of being objective Compatil Fact

objective / informative

and informative and comes across as sober, functional and stable.

Compatil Letter gives the impression of being Compatil Letter

informative / poetic

informative and poetic and is discriminating, balanced yet robust in character.

Compatil Text has a semantic profile that is midway Compatil Text

narrative / objective

between narrative and objective. Its features are reserved, factual and authoritative.

6 | 7

Concept

OXax (1,234.5$) OXax (1,234.5$)

Perfect combination of function and elegance: a direct comparison of uppercase (normal) numerals and small caps numerals shows that all the design features are retained in the smaller characters.

Financial communication is at the heart of corporate communication. Numbers in the form of tables and columns, or integrated within text blocks represent a considerable challenge for typographers.

Compatil is designed to create the maximum difference between numerals that have a similar structure, this increases the legibility of financial documents.

Small caps numerals are important in financial reports because of the frequent occurence of company names and dates and figures, which is why Compatil has small caps numerals with matching currency symbols.

All of the numerals within the Compatil system have the same width, which means that for the first time it is possible to interchange the weight and style without having to alter the letterspacing.

The key feature of this innovative new type system is the ease with which the small caps numerals can be exchanged with the capital numerals. This presents new opportunities for typographic emphasis in text.

When setting financial accounts, a designer must present numbers and text with the greatest possible clarity. It is also important that the numbers can be read quickly without error (figure on the right), yet are not too visually dominant.

When designing Compatil particular importance was attached to developing the openness of the forms, especially with critical numerals like zero and six, three and eight.

36 8 0 86 3 0 Helvetica速

Compatil Fact

Compatil presents a whole new range of possibilities by giving designers the opportunity to combine four different type styles with ease.

the average annual report is about 120 pages long. This means that reading has to be as pleasant as possible and without unnecessary distractions.

Modelled on the classic Venetian style, it’s precise yet welcoming.

An annual report is unique when it comes to the number of different characters used in texts. Acronyms and initials as well as uppercase characters for product and company names which look particularly unattractive

Compatil Exquisit

when set within body texts where no small cap styles are available. There are usually many numbers encountered in the body text which are also of cap height. All this together with brackets, slashes and percentage symbols can create a disharmony that is extremely offputting to the reader.

A sans serif in the style of American Gothic that is concise and functional.

Before Compatil was available, designers would spend a considerable amount of time attempting to bring together workable combinations of typefaces to cover all of these requirements. Now the advantages of the

Compatil Fact

Compatil system, with its clear and harmonious forms, are immediately apparent, as can be seen in this comparison with other well-known typefaces with their different stroke thickness, x-heights and width.

A slab serif that is both concise and stable.

MIX AND MATCH BENEFITS

Compatil Letter

Same x-height in all styles.

Same character width in one weight across all styles.

Same gray tone in all styles.

Small caps available in all weights.

An old style face between transitionals and modern face producing texts with a cool and factual elegance.

No reflow when changing styles.

Compatil Text

8 | 9

Reading Balance

Sabon®

Corporate A

Futura®

News Gothic™

ITC Officina Sans®

Serifa®

ITC Lubalin Graph®

Thesis Serif

ITC New Baskerville®

Linotype Centennial®

Rotis® Serif

ITC Garamond™

´

The Compatil type system is versatile and can be used in various applications to create typographically unique layouts depending on the way the 4 styles are combined.

Typefaces are usually designed for one specific media

aesthetics with a level of functionality that addresses

or function in mind, be it for books, headings, on-screen

a whole range of media. It is economic in its space

reading, newspapers or other purposes. The Compatil

requirements, is very easy to read because of its large

type system covers a much broader spectrum. It takes

x-height and consequently, is also ideal for narrow-

into account all aspects of communication, combining

column typesetting.

Financial Communication – perfect appearance

The variety of Compatil provides options in the setting of accounts that create the appearance of perfect harmony while remaining functional and informative.

The numeral forms make columns of numbers easy to read and distinguishable.

10 | 11

Applications

Office Communication – precise and structured

Compatil Fact Regular, 7,5 pt

Compatil Fact Bold, 20 pt

Compatil Letter Regular, 10 pt / 16,5 pt

Compatil Fact Regular, 7 pt / 12 pt

Compatil Letter has a very open form making it especially suitable for use with the uncoated papers typically used for office documents.

This maintains the integrity of the individual characters by reducing the risk of in-fill and blurred outlines that occur with standard office printers.

Magazine design – creative typography

Compatil Exquisit Regular, 10 pt / 14 pt The 4 different styles within the type system can all be mixed and interchanged, giving a range of options that stimulates creativity and provides a wide variety for typographic expression.

Compatil Fact Regular, 8 pt

Compatil Fact Bold, 10 pt / 14 pt

Compatil Fact Regular, 8,5 pt / 14 pt

Compatil Text Regular, 42 pt / 45 pt

Compatil Fact Regular, 16,5 pt / 24 pt

12 | 13

Applications

Digital media – easy on-screen reading

AnalyseTea News | Contest 2002 | Criteria | Team | Comment | Events | Service

Homepage Credits Imprint

Welcome to the Compatil AG

Links

Search

Compatil Fact Bold, 7,5 pt

Compatil Fact Bold, 9 pt

Compatil Letter Bold, 14 pt

Compatil Fact Bold, 9 pt

Compatil Fact Bold, 12 pt

The compatil ag has the potential, the innovative business concept, the competence and the motivation to take a position as a strongly growing company in worldwide target markets. It represents a company which gives special emphasis to the shareholder value and strives for a successful partnership with satisfied customers as well as qualified and motivated employees. The compatil ag is still a growing company with reasonable financing and a high equity ratio and the management hangs on to its development perspectives. The compatil ag is looking back to an overall difficult, but in some areas very successful and pioneer business year. The year 2001 was especially characterized by the letters in the semiconductor market and the reorganization of the management team. Still we were able to maintain our market position better than many competitors and thanks to the great confidence of our shareholders, customers, business partners and employees we survived the past year well and in a financially sound way. The development of new markets is also promoted. After the successful implementation of projects like for example in the field of different typefaces in the previous year, we strive for a two-digit growth in Innovation Technologies in 2002. We would like to extend our product range and push strategic partnerships in order to be able to profit disproportionately from economic recovery. The general weakness of the markets enables us to win very good employees for compatil ag at acceptable conditions.

Special attention was paid when designing Compatil to create an optimum on-screen appearance. The key features are excellent form and high quality hinting. The hinting protects characters from being lost at low resolutions.

The Compatil Type System Compatil Exquisit Regular

Compatil Fact Regular

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abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz áąăæçčđêęłöœŞřùűfiflß ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU VWXY Z1234567890 $£€¥“”»@«(§){%} abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw xyz1234567890 $£€¥ (%)

Compatil Exquisit Regular Italic

Compatil Fact Regular Italic

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Compatil Exquisit Bold

Compatil Fact Bold

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Compatil Exquisit Bold Italic

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Compatil Fact Bold Italic

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14 | 15

The Solution

The Compatil type system consists of 4 different weights,

small caps. These 4 type styles can easily be combined

Regular, Regular Italic, Bold and Bold Italic in 4 different

with one another because of the unique visual and metric

type styles. A total of 16 weights, all of which include

concept behind their modular type system.

Compatil Letter Regular

Compatil Text Regular

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Compatil Letter Regular Italic

Compatil Text Regular Italic

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz áąăæçčđêęłöœŞřùűfiflß ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU VWXYZ1234567890 $£€¥“”»@«(§){%} abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw xyz1234567890 $£€¥ (%)

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Compatil Letter Bold

Compatil Text Bold

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz áąăæçčđêęłöœŞřùűfiflß ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTU VWXYZ1234567890 $£€¥“”»@«(§){%} abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw xyz1234567890 $£€¥ (%)

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Compatil Letter Bold Italic

Compatil Text Bold Italic

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Linotype, Linotype Library and Compatil are trademarks of Linotype GmbH registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain other jurisdictions.

Linotype Centennial, Helvetica and Sabon are trademarks of Linotype Corp. registered in the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office and may be registered in certain other jurisdictions in the name of Linotype Corp. or its licensee Linotype GmbH. ITC Garamond is a trademark of International Typeface Corporation and may be registered incertain jurisdictions.

New Baskerville, Lubalin Graph and Officina are trademarks of International Typeface Corporation registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and which may be registered in certain other jurisdictions.

News Gothic is a trademark of The Monotype Corporation and may be registered in certain jurisdictions.

Rotis is a trademark of Monotype Imaging Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain jurisdictions.

Futura and Serifa are registered trademarks of Bauer Types SA. All other trademarks are acknowledged to belong to the relevant trademark holder.

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C-IBR711E2.02

Copyright © 2005 - 2007 Linotype GmbH.

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We reserve the right of errors and changes.

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Linotype GmbH Du-Pont-Straße 1 61352 Bad Homburg Germany Tel +49 (0) 6172 484-418 Fax +49 (0) 6172 484-429 info@linotype.com www.linotype.com

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