Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
The Univers family
A full range of typographic expression and visual contrast becomes
possible when all the major characteristics—weight, proportion, and
angle—are orchestrated into a unified family. An exceptional example
is the Univers family (Fig.
2-49
). This family of twenty-one typestyles
was designed by Adrian Frutiger. Instead of the usual terminology,
Frutiger used numerals to designate the typefaces. Univers 55 is the
“parent” face; its stroke weight and proportions are the norm from
which all the other designs were developed. The black to white
relationships and proportions of Univers 55 are ideal for text settings.
Careful study of Figure
2-49
reveals that the first digit in each font's
number indicates the stroke weight, 3 being the lightest and 8 the
heaviest. The second digit indicates expansion and contraction of the
spaces within and between the letters, which results in expanded
and condensed styles. Roman fonts are designated with an odd
number, and oblique fonts are designated with an even number.
In the design of Univers, Frutiger sparked a trend in type design
toward a larger x-height. The lowercase letters are larger relative to
ascenders, descenders, and capitals; the size and weight of capitals
are closer to the size and weight of lowercase letters. This creates
increased harmony on the page of text. Because the twenty-one
members of the Univers family share the same x-height, capital height,
and ascender and descender length and are produced as a system, they
can be intermixed and used together without limitation. This gives
extraordinary design flexibility to the designer (Fig.
2-50
).
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