The making of the Staromoskovsky typeface

Process

The art director suggests we have a look at old Moscow street name plates.

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Going out and studying. Finding the styles we need.

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Looking for stylistically similar typefaces. Examining character shapes.

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It turns out, the plates use typefaces that are similar in style, yet are different. It’s enough to compare just a couple of characters to see that. Artifacts such as dots instead of breve above the letter И are also present. There is also a sense of continuity in the shape of half-uncial letters. Having the last look at all the reference images for inspiration and putting them away.

Leaving a few principles that we will use to convey the desired typeface character: proportion of characters, contrast, triangular serifs, narrow letters and wide digits.

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Drawing the first drafts.

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Trying the result on plates.

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Choosing between lower-case and upper-case letters. Deciding to abandon lower-case letters and work with upper-case only. Comparing to a historic plate.

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Studying the digits on the photographs and drawing our own.

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The art director asks to change the 4.

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Trying to use the new typeface to type some texts.

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