pick your type
Info
  • FuturaFuturaFutura
    RockwellRockwell
    geometric sans

    futura

    1927
    designerPaul Renner
    foundryBauer Type Foundry
    personalityVersatile
    WHY THEY WORK Futura and Rockwell share similar geometric proportions and monoline construction, which gives them both a modernist feel and a consistent voice throughout the content. Contrast can be found on Rockwell's heavy slab serif and rugged texture, which is best suited for headlines. Conversely, Futura is clean and versatile and can be used for either body text or headlines.
    Pair
    slab serif

    rockwell

    1934
    designer
    Frank H. Pierpoint
    foundry
    Monotype
    Corporation
    personality
    Powerful
    designer Paul Renner
    foundryBauer Type Foundry
    personality Versatile
    buy futura  |  rockwell
  • PMN CaeciliaPMN Caecilia
    InterstateInterstate
    slab serif

    pmn caecilia

    1990
    designerPeter Matthias Noordzij
    foundryLinotype
    personalitySturdy
    WHY THEY WORK Slab serifs and grotesques have both evolved from display letters used in woodblock printing and architectural lettering. Because of this, PMN Caecilia and Interstate are often used in outdoor signage. They are easy to read with their large x-heights, open counters, vertical stress and similar cap height. Interstate’s light stroke weight resembles PMN Caecilia’s very closely, thus making it a good companion.
    Pair
    neo-grotesque

    interstate

    1993
    designer
    Adrian Frutiger
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Sturdy
    designer Matthias Noordzij
    foundryLinotype
    personality Sturdy
    buy pmn caecilia  |  interstate
  • Museo SansMuseo Sans
    AdelleAdelle
    Humanist Sans

    museo sans

    2008
    designerJos Buivenga
    foundryExljbris
    personalitySturdy
    WHY THEY WORK Museo Sans and Adelle both shine when used on the web. They are open, sturdy and share humanist qualities, like the double story ‘a’, with open counters and wide apertures. Similar proportions, x-height, and unobtrusive appearances with similar density, lend to a smooth rhythm with Adelle’s texture providing contrast. They complement each other by sharing similar geometric silhouettes, yet show contrast between shapes.
    Pair
    Humanist Slab Serif

    Adelle

    2009
    designer
    J. Scaglione & V. Burian
    foundry
    TypeTogether
    personality
    Energetic
    designer Jos Buivenga
    foundryExljbris
    personality Strong
    buy museo sans  |  adelle
  • Quadraat SansQuadraat Sans
    LaurentianLaurentian
    humanist sans

    quadraat sans

    1996
    designerFred Smeijers
    foundryFontFont
    personalityQuirky
    WHY THEY WORK FF Quadraat Sans and Laurentian are both lively humanist typefaces. Their similar structure—sturdy in nature, a heafty x-height, equal proportions, and slight stresses—present a balanced typographic voice. Quadraat's deeper color renders it suitable for headlines. Meanwhile, Laurentian, with its broad nib pen emulation, is lighter in color and works well for continuous text.
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    laurentian

    2003
    designer
    Rod McDonald
    foundry
    Monotype Corporation
    personality
    Lively
    designer Fred Smeijers
    foundryFontFont
    personality Quirky
    buy quadraat sans  |  laurentian
  • SentinelSentinel
    Akzidenz Grotesk NextAkzidenz Grotesk Next
    slab serif

    sentinel

    2009
    designerT. Frere-Jones
    J. Hoefler
    foundryHoefler & Co.
    personalityApproachable
    WHY THEY WORK Sentinel and Akzidenz Grotesk Next .
    Pair
    grotesque

    akzidenz grotesk nxt

    2006
    designer
    Bernd Möllenstädt
    foundry
    Berthold Type Foundry
    personality
    Neutral
    designer T. Frere-Jones J. Hoefler
    foundryHoefler & Co.
    personality Approachable
    buy sentinel  |  akzidenz grotesk next
  • Mrs EavesMrs Eaves
    Mr EavesMr Eaves
    transitional

    mrs eaves

    1996
    designerZuzana Licko
    foundryEmigre
    personalityFeminine
    WHY THEY WORK Mrs Eaves and Mr Eaves.
    Pair
    humanist sans

    mr eaves

    2009
    designer
    Zuzana Licko
    foundry
    Emigre
    personality
    Modest
    designer Zuzana Lickor
    foundryEmigre
    personality Feminine
    buy mrs eaves  |  mr eaves
  • Bauer BodoniBauer Bodoni
    DINDIN
    modern

    bauer bodoni

    1926
    designerGiambattista Bodoni
    foundryLinotype
    personalityFashionable
    WHY THEY WORK Bauer Bodoni and FF DIN.
    Pair
    geometric sans

    ff din

    1995
    designer
    Albert-Jan Pool
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Powerful
    designer Giambattista Bodoni
    foundryLinotype
    personality Fashionable
    buy bauer bodoni  |  ff din
  • Gotham Gotham
    MercuryMercury
    geometric sans

    gotham

    2000
    designerT. Frere-Jones J. Hoefler
    foundryHoefler & Co.
    personalityHard-Working
    WHY THEY WORK Gotham and Mercury.
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    mercury

    1996
    designer
    T. Frere-Jones
    J. Hoefler
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co.
    personality
    Articulate
    designer T. Frere-Jones J. Hoefler
    foundryHoefler & Co.
    personality Hard-Working
    buy gotham  |  mercury
  • serifaSerifa
    UniversUnivers
    slab serif

    serifa

    1966
    designerAdrian Frutiger
    foundryLinotype
    personalityEngaging
    WHY THEY WORK Serifa and Univers.
    Pair
    neo-grotesque

    univers

    1957
    designer
    Adrian Frutiger
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Reliable
    designer Adrian Frutiger
    foundryLinotype
    personality Engaging
    buy serifa  |  univers
  • Gill Sans Gill Sans
    JoannaJoanna
    humanist sans

    gill sans

    1928
    designerEric Gill
    foundryMonotype
    personalityWarm
    WHY THEY WORK Gill Sans and Joanna.
    Pair
    transitional

    joanna

    1937
    designer
    Eric Gill
    foundry
    Monotype
    personality
    Quiet
    designer Eric Gill
    foundryMonotype
    personality Warm
    buy gill sans  |  joanna
  • Trade MarkerTrade Marker
    Signa SlabSigna Slab
    geometric san

    trade marker

    1999
    designerCritzla
    foundryFontFont
    personalityModern
    WHY THEY WORK TradeMarker and Signa Slab.
    Pair
    slab serif

    signa slab

    2012
    designer
    Ole Søndergaard
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Harmonious
    designer Critzla
    foundryFontFont
    personality Modern
    buy trade marker  |  ff signa slab
  • ChaparralChaparral
    NeutrafaceNeutraface
    slab serif

    chaparral

    1997
    designerCarol Twombly
    foundryAdobe Type
    personalityDelicate
    WHY THEY WORK Chaparral and Neutraface.
    Pair
    geometric sans

    neutraface

    2002
    designer
    Christian Schwartz
    foundry
    House Industries
    personality
    Warm
    designer Carol Twombly
    foundryAdobe Type
    personality Delicate
    buy chaparral  |  neutraface
  • KettlerKettler
    FF QTypeFF Qtype
    slab serif

    kettler

    2002
    designerAchaz Reuss
    foundryFontFont
    personalityUtilitarian
    WHY THEY WORK Kettler and FF QType.
    Pair
    geometric sans

    ff qtype

    2004
    designer
    Achaz Reuss
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Futuristic
    designer Achaz Reuss
    foundryFontFont
    personality Utilitarian
    buy kettler  |  ff qtype
  • FF MetaFF Meta
    Garamond
    humanist sans

    ff meta

    1991
    designerErik Spiekermann
    foundryFontFont
    personalityCheerful
    WHY THEY WORK FF Meta and Garamond
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    adobe garamond

    1989
    designer
    TC. Garamond, Robert Slimbach
    foundry
    Adobe Type
    personality
    Formal
    designer Erik Spiekermann
    foundryFontFont
    personality Cheerful
    buy ff meta  |  adobe garamond
  • Idlewild
    Vitesse
    geometric sans

    idlewild

    2012
    designerJ. Hoefler,
    T. Frere-Jones
    foundryHoefler & Co.
    personalityIndustrious
    WHY THEY WORK Both Idlewild and Vitesse were created by the same designers from the same font foundry—Hoefler & Co. The two share complex curves and rectangular shapes and complement each other through their differences: Vitesse is quick and relatively compact while Idlewild is laid-back and wide. Hoefler & Co. recommends using Idlewild at smaller sizes when combining it with Vitesse.
    Pair
    slab serif

    vitesse

    2010
    designer
    J. Hoefler,
    T. Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co.
    personality
    Sophisticated
    designer
    J. Hoefler,
    T. Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co.
    personality
    Industrious
    buy idlewild  |  vitesse
  • Whitney
    Tundra
    geometric sans

    whitney

    2004
    designerT. Frere-Jones
    foundryHoefler & Co
    personalityRefined
    WHY THEY WORK Whitney and FF Tundra are both soft, contemporary, humanist typefaces. They share the same cap-height, x-height, narrow proportions, moderate stroke contrast, soft contours, open counters as well as ascender height. FF Tundra is designed for continuous text, while Whitney will shine in either headline sizes or body text.
    Pair
    oldstyle humanist

    tundra

    2011
    designer
    Ludwig Übele
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Charismatic
    designer
    T. Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co
    personality
    Refined
    buy whitney  |  tundra
  • Chronicle
    Gotham
    transitional

    chronicle

    2002
    designerTobias Frere-Jones
    foundryHoefler & Co.
    personalityAdaptable
    WHY THEY WORK Dependable, reliable, hard-working typefaces, Chronicle and Gotham, lend a simple rhythmic quality that play off of each other’s proportion, similar weight, balance and open-ness. They are designed by the same designers which naturally makes them look like relatives; different,yet similar.
    Pair
    Geometric Sans

    gotham

    2002
    designer
    Tobias Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co.
    personality
    Balanced
    designer
    Tobias Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co
    personality
    Adaptable
    buy chronicle  |  gotham
  • Antenna Serif
    Garage Gothic
    slab serif

    antenna serif

    2015
    designerCyrus Highsmith
    foundryFont Bureau
    personalityAthletic
    WHY THEY WORK Garage Gothic and Antenna Serif are like brothers; they look related and have a similar voice, but have very different traits. An air of masculinity is apparent in both. They are strong, athletic and gritty. Antenna is stout with the ability to show its softer side at lighter weights. Garage Gothic is edgy and irregular with a splash of disciplined restraint. They have similar color at the right size and weight, a softness in their rounded edges and share short ascenders and descenders.
    Pair
    grotesque

    garage gothic

    1992
    designer
    T. Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Font Bureau
    personality
    Masculine
    designer
    Cyrus Highsmith
    foundry
    Font Bureau
    personality
    Athletic
    buy antenna serif  |  garage gothic
  • Baskerville
    Avenir Next
    transitional

    baskerville

    1757
    designerJohn Baskerville
    foundryLinotype
    personalityIntellectual
    WHY THEY WORK
    Baskerville & Avenir Next
    Pair
    geometric sans

    avenir next

    1988, 2003
    designer
    Adrian Frutiger
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Modern
    designer
    John Baskerville
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Intellectual
    buy baskerville  |  avenir next
  • Stainless
    Dispatch
    geometric sans

    stainless

    2001
    designerCyrus Highsmith
    foundryOccupant Fonts
    personalityMasculine
    WHY THEY WORK Stainless and Dispatch
    Pair
    slab serif

    dispatch

    1999
    designer
    Cyrus Highsmith
    foundry
    Occupant Fonts
    personality
    Industrial
    designer
    Cyrus Highsmith
    foundry
    Occupant Fonts
    personality
    Masculine
    buy stainless  |  distpatch
  • Swiss 721
    FF Quixo
    neo-grotesque

    swiss 721

    1982
    designerMax Miedinger
    foundryBitstream
    personalityModern
    WHY THEY WORK Swiss 721 and FF Quixo
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    ff quixo

    2013
    designer
    Frank
    Grießhammer
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Playful
    designer
    Max Miedinger
    foundry
    Bitstream
    personality
    Modern
    buy swiss 721  |  ff quixo
  • New Century Schoolbook
    Akkurat
    transitional

    new century schoolbook

    1915, 1980
    designerMorris Fuller
    Benton
    foundryLinotype
    personalityStudious
    WHY THEY WORK New Century Schoolbook and Akkurat.
    Pair
    neo-grotesque

    akkurat

    2004
    designer
    Laurenz Brunner
    foundry
    Lineto
    personality
    Strong
    designer
    Morris Fuller
    Benton
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Studious
    buy new century schoolbook  |  akkurat
  • FF Good
    FF More
    grotesque

    ff good

    2006
    designerŁukasz Dziedzic
    foundryFontFont
    personalitySturdy
    WHY THEY WORK FF Good and FF More.
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    ff more

    2010
    designer
    Łukasz Dziedzic
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Sturdy
    designer
    Łukasz Dziedzic
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Sturdy
    buy ff good  |  ff more
  • Adelle
    Mallory
    slab serif

    adelle

    2009
    designerV. Burian
    J. Scaglione
    foundryTypeTogether
    personalityEnergetic
    WHY THEY WORK Adelle and Mallory.
    Pair
    geometric humanist

    mallory

    2015
    designer
    T. Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Frere-Jones Type
    personality
    Approachable
    designer
    Burian
    J. Scaglione
    foundry
    TypeTogether
    personality
    Energetic
    buy adelle  |  mallory
  • Neue haas grotesk
    Egyptienne F
    neo-grotesque

    neue haas grotesk

    1957
    designerChristian Schwartz
    foundryFont Bureau
    personalityUnbiased
    WHY THEY WORK Neue Haas Grotesk and Egyptienne F
    Pair
    slab serif

    egyptienne f

    1956
    designer
    Adrian Frutiger
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Flexible
    designer
    Christian Schwartz
    foundry
    Font Bureau
    personality
    Unbiased
    buy neue haas  |  egyptienne f
  • TheSerif
    TheSans
    slab serif

    theserif

    1994
    designerLuc(as) de Groot
    foundryLucas Fonts
    personalityCharming
    WHY THEY WORK TheSerif and TheSans
    Pair
    humanist sans

    thesans

    1994
    designer
    Luc(as) de Groot
    foundry
    Lucas Fonts
    personality
    Friendly
    designer
    Luc(as) de Groot
    foundry
    Lucas Fonts
    personality
    Charming
    buy theserif  |  thesans
  • Helvetica Neue
    Didot
    neo-grotesque

    helvetica neue

    1994
    designerMax Miedinger
    foundryHaas Type Foundry
    personalityClean
    WHY THEY WORK Helvetica Neue and Didot.
    Pair
    modern

    didot

    1784, 1991
    designer
    Firmin Didot
    Jonathan Hoefler
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co.
    personality
    Glamorous
    designer
    Max Miedinger
    foundry
    Haas Type Foundry
    personality
    Clean
    buy helvetica neue  |  didot
  • Syntax
    Sabon
    humanist sans

    syntax

    1968
    designerHans Eduard Meier
    foundryLinotype
    personalityFriendly
    WHY THEY WORK Syntax & Sabon
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    sabon

    1967
    designer
    Jan Tschichold
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Sophisticated
    designer
    Hans Eduard Meier
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Friendly
    buy syntax  |  sabon
  • Bauer Bodoni
    Avenir
    modern

    bauer bodoni

    1926
    designerGiambattista Bodoni
    foundryLinotype
    personalityElegant
    WHY THEY WORK Bauer Bodoni has a hint of geometric construction which is reinforced by Avenir, a geometric sans serif. Both typefaces have open counters, a similar x-height and vertical stresses. While Bauer Bodoni is very distinct, Avenir is neutral with similar proportions, allowing them to display contrast yet harmonize.
    Pair
    geometric sans

    avenir

    1926
    designer
    Adrian Frutiger
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Friendly
    designer
    Giambattista Bodoni
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Elegant
    buy bauer bodoni  |  avenir
  • Caslon
    Brandon Grotesque
    oldstyle garalde

    adobe caslon

    1992
    designerCarol Twombly
    foundryAdobe Type
    personalityFormal
    WHY THEY WORK Brandon Grotesque is a neutral geometric sans with a humanistic essance. The open “a” and the looptail, double story “g” resembles oldstyle typefaces which creates a level of consistency with Caslon.
            Caslon is an oldstyle garalde with a lot of historical reference, but because Brandon Grotesque is neutral with similar proportions, its versatility allows harmony between the two.
    Pair
    geometric sans

    brandon grotesque

    2010
    designer
    Hannes von Döhren
    foundry
    HDV Fonts
    personality
    Clean
    designer
    Carol Twombly
    foundry
    Adobe Type
    personality
    Formal
    buy adobe calson  |  brandon grotesque
  • Texta
    Caslon
    Humanist/Geometric Sans

    Texta

    2014
    designerDaniel & M. Hernández
    foundryLatinotype
    personalityFriendly
    WHY THEY WORK Organic. Hand-made. Delicate: Adobe Caslon and Texta. The humanist aspects of both typefaces, especially Caslon italic, embody openness, honesty and friendliness. The two feel knit together. Texta illustrates boldness and structure while Caslon is soft and free-flowing. The two typefaces share similar x-heights, character width, open apertures as well as counters. The wedge shaped serifs of ‘p’ and ‘q’ of Caslon are slightly emulated within the ‘p’ and ‘q’ of Texta.
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    Adobe Caslon

    1990
    designer
    Carol Twombly
    foundry
    Adobe Type
    personality
    Traditional
    designer
    Daniel & M. Hernández
    foundry
    Latinotype
    personality
    Friendly
    buy texta  |  adobe caslon
  • Akzidenz Grotesk
    Archer
    grotesque

    akzidenz grotesk

    1898
    designerGunter Gerhard Lange
    foundryBerthold Type Foundry
    personalityNeutral
    WHY THEY WORK Futura
    Pair
    slab serif

    archer

    2001
    designer
    T. Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co.
    personality
    Feminine
    designer
    Gunter Gerhard Lange
    foundry
    Berthold Type Foundry
    personality
    Neutral
    buy akzidenz grotesk  |  archer
  • Filosofia
    Zine Sans
    modern

    filosofia

    1996
    designerZuzana Licko
    foundryEmigre
    personalitySophisticated
    WHY THEY WORK Filosofia and Zine Sans
    Pair
    humanist sans display

    zine sans

    2001
    designer
    Ole Schäfer
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Formal
    designer
    Zuzana Licko
    foundry
    Emigre
    personality
    Sophisticated
    buy filosofia  |  zine sans
  • Frutiger
    Meridien
    humanist sans

    frutiger

    1976
    designerAdrian Frutiger
    foundryLinotype
    personalityFriendly
    WHY THEY WORK Frutiger and Meridien
    Pair
    transitional

    meridien

    1957
    designer
    Adrian Frutiger
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Sensuous
    designer
    Adrian Frutiger
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Friendly
    buy frutiger  |  meridien
  • Berkeley Oldstyle
    Neutraface
    oldstyle humanist

    itc berkeley oldstyle

    1983
    designerFrederic W. Goudy
    foundryITC
    personalityHistorical
    WHY THEY WORK Berkeley Oldstyle and Neutraface No.2.
    Pair
    geometric sans

    neutraface no2

    2007
    designer
    Christian Schwartz
    foundry
    House Industries
    personality
    Neutral
    designer
    Frederic W. Goudy
    foundry
    ITC
    personality
    Historical
    buy berkeley oldstyle  |  neutraface no2
  • Optima
    Palatino
    humanist sans

    optima

    1955
    designerHermann Zapf
    foundryLinotype
    personalityElegant
    WHY THEY WORK Optima and Palatino
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    palatino

    1948
    designer
    Hermann Zapf
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Graceful
    designer
    Hermann Zapf
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Elegant
    buy optima  |  palatino
  • Clarendon
    Trade Gothic
    slab serif

    clarendon

    1953
    designerHermann
    Eidenbenz,
    Robert Besley
    foundryFann Street Foundry
    personalityConfident
    WHY THEY WORK Trade Gothic and Clarendon are hard-working, powerful typefaces. Both have large x-heights, vertical stresses and are low contrast. Often paired with distinctive fonts, Trade Gothic has a breathable, no-nonsense feel that “plays well with others”. Clarendon is a bold yet approachable face with a solid structure. Together they grab attention in headlines, magazines, posters and advertising.
    Pair
    grotesque

    trade gothic

    1948
    designer
    Jackson Burke
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Powerful
    designer
    Eidenbenz,
    Robert Besley
    foundry
    Fann Street Foundry
    personality
    Confident
    buy clarendon  |  trade gothic
  • FF Bau
    Big Caslon
    neo-grotesque

    ff bau

    2002
    designerChristian Schwartz
    foundryFontFont
    personalityConfident
    WHY THEY WORK FF Bau and Big Caslon
    Pair
    oldstyle garalde

    big caslon

    1994, 2014
    designer
    Matthew Carter
    foundry
    Font Bureau
    personality
    Traditional
    designer
    Christian Schwartz
    foundry
    FontFont
    personality
    Confident
    buy ff bau  |  big caslon
  • Minion
    Myriad
    oldstyle garalde

    minion

    1990
    designerRobert Slimbach
    foundryAdobe Type
    personalitySerious
    WHY THEY WORK Minion and Myriad
    Pair
    humanist sans

    myriad

    1992
    designer
    C. Twombly
    R. Slimbach
    foundry
    Adobe Type
    personality
    Versatile
    designer
    Robert Slimbach
    foundry
    Adobe Type
    personality
    Serious
    buy minion  |  myriad
  • Officina Sans
    Soho
    humanist sans

    officina sans

    1990
    designerErik Spiekermann
    foundryITC
    personalityGentle
    WHY THEY WORK Officina Sans and Soho
    Pair
    slab serif

    soho

    2007
    designer
    Sebastian Lester
    foundry
    Monotype
    personality
    Welcoming
    designer
    Erik Spiekermann
    foundry
    ITC
    personality
    Gentle
    buy officina sans  |  soho
  • Hoefler Text
    Whitney
    oldstyle garalde

    hoefler text

    1991
    designerJonathan Hoefler
    foundryHoefler & Co.
    personalityClassy
    WHY THEY WORK Hoefler Text and Whitney.
    Pair
    humanist sans

    whitney

    2004
    designer
    T.Frere-Jones
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co.
    personality
    Refined
    designer
    Jonathan Hoefler
    foundry
    Hoefler & Co.
    personality
    Classy
    buy hoefler text  |  whitney
  • Officina Serif
    Industria
    slab serif

    officina serif

    1990
    designerErik Spiekermann
    foundryITC
    personalityProfessional
    WHY THEY WORK Officina Serif and Industria .
    Pair
    geometric sans

    industria

    1989
    designer
    Neville Brody
    foundry
    Linotype
    personality
    Strong
    designer
    Erik Spiekermann
    foundry
    ITC
    personality
    Professional
    buy officina serif  |  industria
pyt
tpf
dtp
principles
About
Contact
pyt
tpf
dtp
principles
About
Contact
menu