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geometric sans
futura
1927designerPaul RennerfoundryBauer Type FoundrypersonalityVersatileWHY 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.designer
Frank H. Pierpointfoundry
Monotype
Corporationpersonality
Powerfuldesigner Paul RennerfoundryBauer Type Foundrypersonality Versatile -
slab serif
pmn caecilia
1990designerPeter Matthias NoordzijfoundryLinotypepersonalitySturdyWHY 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.designer
Adrian Frutigerfoundry
Linotypepersonality
Sturdydesigner Matthias NoordzijfoundryLinotypepersonality Sturdy -
Humanist Sans
museo sans
2008designerJos BuivengafoundryExljbrispersonalitySturdyWHY 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.designer
J. Scaglione & V. Burianfoundry
TypeTogetherpersonality
Energeticdesigner Jos BuivengafoundryExljbrispersonality Strong -
humanist sans
quadraat sans
1996designerFred SmeijersfoundryFontFontpersonalityQuirkyWHY 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.designer
Rod McDonaldfoundry
Monotype Corporationpersonality
Livelydesigner Fred SmeijersfoundryFontFontpersonality Quirky -
slab serif
sentinel
2009designerT. Frere-Jones
J. HoeflerfoundryHoefler & Co.personalityApproachableWHY THEY WORK Sentinel and Akzidenz Grotesk Next .designer
Bernd Möllenstädtfoundry
Berthold Type Foundrypersonality
Neutraldesigner T. Frere-Jones J. HoeflerfoundryHoefler & Co.personality Approachable -
modern
bauer bodoni
1926designerGiambattista BodonifoundryLinotypepersonalityFashionableWHY THEY WORK Bauer Bodoni and FF DIN.designer
Albert-Jan Poolfoundry
FontFontpersonality
Powerfuldesigner Giambattista BodonifoundryLinotypepersonality Fashionable -
geometric sans
gotham
2000designerT. Frere-Jones J. HoeflerfoundryHoefler & Co.personalityHard-WorkingWHY THEY WORK Gotham and Mercury.designer
T. Frere-Jones
J. Hoeflerfoundry
Hoefler & Co.personality
Articulatedesigner T. Frere-Jones J. HoeflerfoundryHoefler & Co.personality Hard-Working -
geometric san
trade marker
1999designerCritzlafoundryFontFontpersonalityModernWHY THEY WORK TradeMarker and Signa Slab.designer
Ole Søndergaardfoundry
FontFontpersonality
Harmoniousdesigner CritzlafoundryFontFontpersonality Modern -
slab serif
chaparral
1997designerCarol TwomblyfoundryAdobe TypepersonalityDelicateWHY THEY WORK Chaparral and Neutraface.designer
Christian Schwartzfoundry
House Industriespersonality
Warmdesigner Carol TwomblyfoundryAdobe Typepersonality Delicate -
humanist sans
ff meta
1991designerErik SpiekermannfoundryFontFontpersonalityCheerfulWHY THEY WORK FF Meta and Garamonddesigner
TC. Garamond, Robert Slimbachfoundry
Adobe Typepersonality
Formaldesigner Erik SpiekermannfoundryFontFontpersonality Cheerful
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geometric sans
idlewild
2012designerJ. Hoefler,
T. Frere-JonesfoundryHoefler & Co.personalityIndustriousWHY 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.designer
J. Hoefler,
T. Frere-Jonesfoundry
Hoefler & Co.personality
Sophisticateddesigner
J. Hoefler,
T. Frere-Jonesfoundry
Hoefler & Co.personality
Industrious -
geometric sans
whitney
2004designerT. Frere-JonesfoundryHoefler & CopersonalityRefinedWHY 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.designer
Ludwig Übelefoundry
FontFontpersonality
Charismaticdesigner
T. Frere-Jonesfoundry
Hoefler & Copersonality
Refined -
transitional
chronicle
2002designerTobias Frere-JonesfoundryHoefler & Co.personalityAdaptableWHY 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.designer
Tobias Frere-Jonesfoundry
Hoefler & Co.personality
Balanceddesigner
Tobias Frere-Jonesfoundry
Hoefler & Copersonality
Adaptable -
slab serif
antenna serif
2015designerCyrus HighsmithfoundryFont BureaupersonalityAthleticWHY 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.designer
T. Frere-Jonesfoundry
Font Bureaupersonality
Masculinedesigner
Cyrus Highsmithfoundry
Font Bureaupersonality
Athletic -
transitional
baskerville
1757designerJohn BaskervillefoundryLinotypepersonalityIntellectualWHY THEY WORK
Baskerville & Avenir Nextdesigner
Adrian Frutigerfoundry
Linotypepersonality
Moderndesigner
John Baskervillefoundry
Linotypepersonality
Intellectual -
geometric sans
stainless
2001designerCyrus HighsmithfoundryOccupant FontspersonalityMasculineWHY THEY WORK Stainless and Dispatchdesigner
Cyrus Highsmithfoundry
Occupant Fontspersonality
Industrialdesigner
Cyrus Highsmithfoundry
Occupant Fontspersonality
Masculine -
neo-grotesque
swiss 721
1982designerMax MiedingerfoundryBitstreampersonalityModernWHY THEY WORK Swiss 721 and FF Quixodesigner
Frank
Grießhammerfoundry
FontFontpersonality
Playfuldesigner
Max Miedingerfoundry
Bitstreampersonality
Modern -
transitional
new century schoolbook
1915, 1980designerMorris Fuller
BentonfoundryLinotypepersonalityStudiousWHY THEY WORK New Century Schoolbook and Akkurat.designer
Laurenz Brunnerfoundry
Linetopersonality
Strongdesigner
Morris Fuller
Bentonfoundry
Linotypepersonality
Studious -
slab serif
adelle
2009designerV. Burian
J. ScaglionefoundryTypeTogetherpersonalityEnergeticWHY THEY WORK Adelle and Mallory.designer
T. Frere-Jonesfoundry
Frere-Jones Typepersonality
Approachabledesigner
Burian
J. Scaglionefoundry
TypeTogetherpersonality
Energetic -
neo-grotesque
neue haas grotesk
1957designerChristian SchwartzfoundryFont BureaupersonalityUnbiasedWHY THEY WORK Neue Haas Grotesk and Egyptienne Fdesigner
Adrian Frutigerfoundry
Linotypepersonality
Flexibledesigner
Christian Schwartzfoundry
Font Bureaupersonality
Unbiased -
slab serif
theserif
1994designerLuc(as) de GrootfoundryLucas FontspersonalityCharmingWHY THEY WORK TheSerif and TheSansdesigner
Luc(as) de Grootfoundry
Lucas Fontspersonality
Friendlydesigner
Luc(as) de Grootfoundry
Lucas Fontspersonality
Charming -
neo-grotesque
helvetica neue
1994designerMax MiedingerfoundryHaas Type FoundrypersonalityCleanWHY THEY WORK Helvetica Neue and Didot.designer
Firmin Didot
Jonathan Hoeflerfoundry
Hoefler & Co.personality
Glamorousdesigner
Max Miedingerfoundry
Haas Type Foundrypersonality
Clean
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modern
bauer bodoni
1926designerGiambattista BodonifoundryLinotypepersonalityElegantWHY 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.designer
Adrian Frutigerfoundry
Linotypepersonality
Friendlydesigner
Giambattista Bodonifoundry
Linotypepersonality
Elegant -
oldstyle garalde
adobe caslon
1992designerCarol TwomblyfoundryAdobe TypepersonalityFormalWHY 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.designer
Hannes von Döhrenfoundry
HDV Fontspersonality
Cleandesigner
Carol Twomblyfoundry
Adobe Typepersonality
Formal -
Humanist/Geometric Sans
Texta
2014designerDaniel & M. HernándezfoundryLatinotypepersonalityFriendlyWHY 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.designer
Carol Twomblyfoundry
Adobe Typepersonality
Traditionaldesigner
Daniel & M. Hernándezfoundry
Latinotypepersonality
Friendly -
grotesque
akzidenz grotesk
1898designerGunter Gerhard LangefoundryBerthold Type FoundrypersonalityNeutralWHY THEY WORK Futuradesigner
T. Frere-Jonesfoundry
Hoefler & Co.personality
Femininedesigner
Gunter Gerhard Langefoundry
Berthold Type Foundrypersonality
Neutral -
modern
filosofia
1996designerZuzana LickofoundryEmigrepersonalitySophisticatedWHY THEY WORK Filosofia and Zine Sansdesigner
Ole Schäferfoundry
FontFontpersonality
Formaldesigner
Zuzana Lickofoundry
Emigrepersonality
Sophisticated -
humanist sans
frutiger
1976designerAdrian FrutigerfoundryLinotypepersonalityFriendlyWHY THEY WORK Frutiger and Meridiendesigner
Adrian Frutigerfoundry
Linotypepersonality
Sensuousdesigner
Adrian Frutigerfoundry
Linotypepersonality
Friendly -
oldstyle humanist
itc berkeley oldstyle
1983designerFrederic W. GoudyfoundryITCpersonalityHistoricalWHY THEY WORK Berkeley Oldstyle and Neutraface No.2.designer
Christian Schwartzfoundry
House Industriespersonality
Neutraldesigner
Frederic W. Goudyfoundry
ITCpersonality
Historical -
slab serif
clarendon
1953designerHermann
Eidenbenz,
Robert BesleyfoundryFann Street FoundrypersonalityConfidentWHY 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.designer
Jackson Burkefoundry
Linotypepersonality
Powerfuldesigner
Eidenbenz,
Robert Besleyfoundry
Fann Street Foundrypersonality
Confident -
neo-grotesque
ff bau
2002designerChristian SchwartzfoundryFontFontpersonalityConfidentWHY THEY WORK FF Bau and Big Caslondesigner
Matthew Carterfoundry
Font Bureaupersonality
Traditionaldesigner
Christian Schwartzfoundry
FontFontpersonality
Confident -
oldstyle garalde
minion
1990designerRobert SlimbachfoundryAdobe TypepersonalitySeriousWHY THEY WORK Minion and Myriaddesigner
C. Twombly
R. Slimbachfoundry
Adobe Typepersonality
Versatiledesigner
Robert Slimbachfoundry
Adobe Typepersonality
Serious -
humanist sans
officina sans
1990designerErik SpiekermannfoundryITCpersonalityGentleWHY THEY WORK Officina Sans and Sohodesigner
Sebastian Lesterfoundry
Monotypepersonality
Welcomingdesigner
Erik Spiekermannfoundry
ITCpersonality
Gentle -
oldstyle garalde
hoefler text
1991designerJonathan HoeflerfoundryHoefler & Co.personalityClassyWHY THEY WORK Hoefler Text and Whitney.designer
T.Frere-Jonesfoundry
Hoefler & Co.personality
Refineddesigner
Jonathan Hoeflerfoundry
Hoefler & Co.personality
Classy -
slab serif
officina serif
1990designerErik SpiekermannfoundryITCpersonalityProfessionalWHY THEY WORK Officina Serif and Industria .designer
Neville Brodyfoundry
Linotypepersonality
Strongdesigner
Erik Spiekermannfoundry
ITCpersonality
Professional