Sans Serif text face to complement P22 Zaner Pro
Updating the look of a Wedding magazine. After using a combination of Sloop and Garamond for years, I thought it was time for a change. Settled on P22 Zaner for the script for titles and headlines, great ligatures and extended character sets, this is what drew me to Sloop.
I had hoped to find just the right Sans Serif font to complement Zaner. Trying to find a family with the strong character and versatility of Neutra. Neutra is being used quite a bit by another publisher in the same region, so that is out.
In some other threads, there is mention of Seria and a few others, but none have really clicked.
29.Jan.2008 10.29pm
Maybe Relay, unless that’s to close to Neutraface.
Other versatile sans serifs with strong character:
Taz III
FF Megano
FF Strada
Cronos
Priori Sans
Parisine
29.Jan.2008 11.07pm
Stephen, thank you
Before flipping back to check for replies, I was on the Font Bureau site reading about Relay. Knowing the history of work by Edward Johnston and Eric Gill, applying humanistic proportions and shapes to the geometric sanserif, defines why I like Neutra and what I am looking for. I agree, it is close to Neutra but this helped a lot.
Also from the Font Bureau, I like one of their new faces…Antenna
Priori Sans and Parisine are also very nice.
thanks again
30.Jan.2008 3.13am
Hmmmm, I hadn’t really thought of this before! I think I would suggest something a bit grotesque likeNational. or if you really are set on something similar to Neutra, I might like Proxima Nova. I’d almost be tempted to try Omnes, but that may be pushing it a bit too much for a magazine?
Please keep me in the loop with this project. As the designer of Zaner, I’d much like to see the final product. Thanks!
30.Jan.2008 3.51am
Following Paul’s suggestions, you might also look at OutType’s Parry Grotesque, or Nick Shinn’s upcoming Figgins.
30.Jan.2008 6.45am
I hesitate to mention, if you haven’t already realized for yourself: If Neutraface is ruled out because it’s being used by another publisher, then you should know that Brides magazine uses Relay extensively. I hate to make the case against Relay, since it’s a great magazine sans.
Incidentally, The Knot uses Jeremy Tankard’s Bliss, which is another Gill-ish sans.
If you haven’t already, you might take a look at Verlag (from H&FJ: www.typography.com.) A similar character to Neutraface, it might be a sympathetic companion to Zaner because of the relatively small x-height and long extenders.
— Kent.
30.Jan.2008 7.51am
Thank you for all of the replies and suggestions. I can only hope to get the combination right and do justice to Zaner. Knowing its designer is watching—the pressure is on!
Kent, thanks for the heads up on Relay and Bliss. Relay seems to have a great range and personality. Wondering if there is room to work with Relay, without copying or appearing ignorant of its use in the industry.
Even though Neutraface is a large family, many layouts I see seem to gravitate to 3 or 4 faces. Suddenly it seems to be everywhere. Rightfully so, it is also a great font. Just curious, was it the use in House and Garden that has pushed it to the tipping point?
31.Jan.2008 5.23am
If you’re keen on using Relay, by all means don’t let me discourage you. I think there are plenty of overlaps in the wedding magazines market. Brides uses Relay with a mix of other faces. If you use a different mix, Relay could feel quite different.
I would suggest you pick up a copy and take a close look at what weights and styles they’re using. My recollection is that they tend to favor the Condensed styles for headlines. You could try leveraging a different aspect of the family and thereby get a different look.
— K.