Type Style Finder

Multicultural

Bringing together the world’s varied visual languages, multicultural

design depends largely on context. In one sense, it may be approached

as universal—and therefore neutral—in presentation, but it may

also be more consciously considered a grab bag of styles and color

that references disparate cultural qualities to create an eclectic

visual hybrid of form.

Identity Applications

top, and details, bottom

Lure Design, Inc.

Jeff Matz

Orlando [FL] USA

Concepts

152

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The idea of multiculturalism in type can be conveyed in two diametrically

opposed ways: as absolutely neutral and therefore universal, or as a mixture

of formal qualities that evoke varied writing systems. In the first camp,

sans serifs with little or no variation in body width among characters, large

x-heights, regularized curves in shoulders and bowls, and perpendicular

terminals—essentially those without any character whatsoever—have been

conventionally thought of as international, eschewing any trace of regional

or historical origin. However, the alternative—type styles that clearly reference

culturally distinct writing systems—may more readily convey the sense of

disparate cultures and people coming together. Roman forms, for example,

with linear junctures along the cap- or baseline, may carry structural associ-

ations with Hindi or Arabic, while some geometrically simplified, angular

characters may refer to ideographic or glyphic forms, such as in Asian or

Hebr

aic writing, respectively. Typefaces with swash or curlicue details,

or abstract inclusions, may similarly feel as though they are “foreign” as

compared to more neutral faces, whether serif or sans serif.

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P22 Daddy-O Junkie

Graphic Wedge Serif |

Erratic Baseline |

Conflicting Posture |

P22 Type Foundry

www.p22.com

[e-mail]

800.P22.5080

ITC Juanita

TM

Xilo

Sans Serif | Black Weight |

Graphic Detail |

Noticeable Contrast |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Devine Town Regular

Sans Serif–Sanskrit Hybrid |

Medium Weight | Sanskrit

Influence | Capline Joints |

T.26 Digital Type Foundry

www.t26.com

[e-mail]

888.T26.FONT

Expresso

Graphic | Medium Weight |

Double Lowercase |

Garage Fonts Type Foundry

www.garagefonts.com

[e-mail]

800.681.9375

F2F MadZine

TM

Wip

Graphic | Medium Weight |

Condensed | Modulation |

Abstract Inclusions |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Modern Blues Regular

Graphic | Glyph Details |

Light Weight | Caps and

Small Caps |

T.26 Digital Type Foundry

www.t26.com

[e-mail]

888.T26.FONT

Type Style Finder

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Concepts Multicultural

Sho

TM

Graphic Sans Serif |

Bold Weight | Modulation |

Brush Influence |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Linotype SinahSans

TM

Graphic Sans Serif |

Bold Weight | Noticeable

Contrast | Looping Detail |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Linotype Dharma

TM

Serif-Sans Serif Hybrid |

Black Weight |

Pronounced Contrast |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

El Chamuco Condensed

Stylized Sans Serif | Pronounced

Contrast | Medium Weight |

T.26 Digital Type Foundry

www.t26.com

[e-mail]

888.T26.FONT

ITC Honda

®

Sans Serif | Black Weight |

Condensed |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

ITC Jambalaya

TM

Regular

Graphic | Varied Weight and

Contrast | Illustrative Detail |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

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Type Style Finder

Mantra

Graphic | Glyphic Details |

Pronounced Contrast |

Light Weight | Mixed Heights |

T.26 Digital Type Foundry

www.t26.com

[e-mail]

888.T26.FONT

Kigali

TM

Roman

Graphic Serif | Black Weight |

Pronounced Contrast |

Brush Influence |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Kismet

TM

Serif | Light Weight |

Graphic Inclusions |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Lambada

TM

Serif | Bolder Medium Weight |

Slight Contrast | Looped Serifs

and Joint Structure |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Matura

TM

Sans Serif | Black Weight |

Moderate Contrast |

Brush Influence |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Morocco

TM

Std

Graphic | Medium Weight |

Greek-Roman Hybrid |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

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Concepts Multicultural

Talmud Regular

Graphic | Bold Weight |

Short Overall Body |

Hebrew-Roman Hybrid |

T.26 Digital Type Foundry

www.t26.com

[e-mail]

888.T26.FONT

Linotype Pide Nashi

TM

Two

Sans Serif | Bold Weight |

Pronounced Descenders |

Arabic Influence |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

Rappongi Normal

Stylized Sans Serif | Extended |

Medium Weight |

T.26 Digital Type Foundry

www.t26.com

[e-mail]

888.T26.FONT

ITC Simran

TM

Sans Serif | Heavier Medium

Weight | Noticeable Contrast |

Unicase with Alternates |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

P22 Shibumi

Stylized Sans Serif | Medium

Weight | Pronounced

Contrast | Brush Forms |

P22 Type Foundry

www.p22.com

[e-mail]

800.P22.5080

Slogan

TM

Regular

Script | Medium Weight |

Pronounced Contrast |

Semi-Swash Capitals |

Linotype Library GmbH

www.linotype.com

[e-mail]

+49 (0) 6172 484.418

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