Type Style Finder

A complete contrast to the idea of “dynamic,” tranquility is serene and

slow, almost static—think warm milk or the gentle lap of waves on a

beach. Tranquility is nonconfrontational and restful, inviting the viewer

to ponder, to daydream, lulling them into a relaxed state of ease. Far

from dull or boring, tranquil typefaces and colors seduce with a kind

of rich smoothness and integrated form.

Magazine Cover

top, and detail, bottom

Time, Inc.

Martyn Thompson,

photographer

New York City USA

Tranquil

Moods

16

Considering typefaces in an effort to produce a restful state is a difficult

affair, as type, in its linear, rhythmic quality, is predominantly active.

While it often comes down to countering this surface activity by tinting

the type to a lighter density, or spacing the type more loosely to create

a slower reading rhythm, there are a selection of typefaces that, in their

inherent form, are far more tranquil than others. These include semibold

or even heavy script faces with an extremely low x-height—in which the

up-and-down motion of the strokes is reduced in favor of a sloping, side-

ways motion—as well as moderately extended sans-serif faces with sloping

shoulders, more elliptical bowls, and open apertures. Too extended, and

the stylized quality of the horizontal movement becomes self-conscious

and extreme, decreasing the tranquil aspect of the face. Serif faces with

slightly extended proportions, low contrast, and slow ductus are also rela-

tively inactive, producing a gentle motion through a line of text.

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ITC Bookman

®

Light

Serif | Moderate Contrast |

Slightly Extended |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

JY Raj

Stylized Sans Serif | Slightly

Extended | Medium Weight |

JY&A Fonts Distributor

www.jyanet.com/fonts

Cisalpin

TM

Std Regular

Sans Serif | Medium Weight |

Large x-Height |

Abrupt Terminals |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Sauna Roman

Sans Serif–Serif Hybrid |

Soft Terminals |

Lighter Medium Weight |

Underware

www.underware.nl

[e-mail]

31 (0)70.42.78.117

Bodebeck

TM

Serif | Light Weight | Slight

Contrast | Slightly Condensed

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

JY Koliba Ultra Light

Sans Serif | Uniform Strokes |

Moderately Extended |

JY&A Fonts

www.jyanet.com/fonts

Type Style Finder

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Moods Tranquil

Breughel

TM

Regular

Serif

|

Medium Weight

|

Modulated Strokes |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

ITC Souvenir

®

Medium

Serif

|

Bolder Medium Weight

|

Notable Contrast

|

Very Fluid

Ductus

|

Soft Terminals |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Cronos

TM

Pro Regular

Sans Serif

|

Medium Weight

|

Slight Contrast |

Canted Terminals

|

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Diverda

TM

Serif Std Regular

Slab Serif

|

Medium Weight

|

Slight Contrast |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Figural

TM

Book

Serif | Lighter Medium Weight |

Slight Modulation |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

ITC Legacy

®

Sans Book

Sans Serif

|

Lighter Medium

Weight

|

Slight Contrast |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

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Type Style Finder

Noa

TM

Std Regular

Sans Serif | Medium Weight |

Pronounced Horizontal

Emphasis | Large x-Height |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Optima

TM

Nova Regular

Sans Serif | Heavier Medium

Weight | Notable Contrast |

Modulation

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Sabon

TM

Roman

Serif | Medium Weight |

Fluid Ductus |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Linotype Brewery

TM

Light

Sans Serif | Very Light Weight |

Little Contrast |

Slight Modulation |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

ITC Stone

®

Informal Medium

Serif | Bolder Medium Weight |

Noticeable Contrast |

Fluid Ductus | Soft Terminals |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Titus

Serif | Light Weight | Moderate

Contrast | Curved Terminals |

Linotype library gmbh

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

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Moods Tranquil

Trade Gothic

TM

Light

Sans Serif | Uniform Strokes |

Slightly Condensed |

Noticeably Open Counters |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Univers

TM

53 Extended

Sans Serif | Uniform Weight |

Moderately Extended |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Utopia

TM

Regular

Serif | Medium Weight | Fluid Ductus

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Maximus

TM

Serif | Notable Contrast |

Extended

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

ITC New Baskerville

®

Roman

Serif | Medium Weight |

Fluid Ductus |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Defused Regular

Sans Serif | Medium Weight |

Rounded Terminals |

T.26 Digital Type Foundry

www.t26.com

[e-mail]

888.T26.FONT

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