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Telefon, a Nordic geometric
Posted by Sindre in
20 Jan 2010 — 9:18am
20 Jan 2010 — 9:18am
The best gift I got for Christmas was a book about the design of the Norwegian telephone box (1933). So I got inspired, and drew some glyphs, and all of a sudden I had a whole alphabet. I didn't look at the telephone box lettering while I drew, I wanted to make letters resembling the Art Deco style there still were a lot of traces left of in Norway until the 80s (now, there's only a few phone boxes and some street signs left), without making a derivative of anything.
I've made some deliberately naïve old-school choices, this is not a polished, modern take on a geometric sans serif.
I have a bold (or rather an extra bold) weight half-drawn as well, and I think that's going to be the whole type family. I need to get something finished. All my former attempts have grown too large too soon, this is going to be my first finished project. But I need your help. Any kind of criticism is very, very welcome!
For extended character set, see the pdf.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| tlf.pdf | 531.76 KB |
| tlf_black.pdf | 54.67 KB |
| telefon_080310.pdf | 220.94 KB |
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7 Apr 2011 — 8:51pm
It's a nice face, but it doesn't seem too different from Neutraface/Futura/Brandon Grotesque.
8 Apr 2011 — 2:05am
On the contrary! It differs quite a lot from these, which in turn differ quite a lot themselves.
10 Apr 2011 — 2:08am
Oh, it's much cooler than those :)
Can't wait to hear/see what this book turns out to be!
10 Apr 2011 — 3:46am
Thanks, guys. I hope you're right. (And while drawing, I never once thought I made a Futura copy. Indeed, all typefaces based on a stick and a ball will appear similar to the untrained eye.)
10 Apr 2011 — 11:19am
Glad to see you back Sindre! That serif face you previewed in the "cusped U" thread looks amazing. Will you be making a thread on it here?
10 Apr 2011 — 3:17pm
Hello again, Craig. Yes, I think I will, if you think it's worthwile doing so. In fact, I've drawn a lot of stuff since I last posted on Tyhpophile, but I really don't want to outstay my welcome.
10 Apr 2011 — 3:36pm
Sindre, I share Craig's anticipation to see more of your work — it's always been exciting and inspiring. I'd love to see you release something :)
11 Apr 2011 — 5:07am
Yes, what Bendy said! Good to see you round Sindre.
12 Apr 2011 — 4:18pm
Thank you, Craig, Ben and Nina. It's really great seeing you all again! I've posted some stuff in the serif critique section now.
8 Jul 2011 — 6:20am
Is this font available for use? I love it!
8 Jul 2011 — 7:28am
Thank you very much, Sam. Yes, Telefon is available for licensing. Feel free to contact me at sindre.bremnes@gmail.com.
14 Apr 2012 — 2:43am
Hey, Telefon is becoming famous!
Very soon it will be released — along with several other typefaces you might know from the critique section of Typophile, and not only mine … stay tuned!
14 Apr 2012 — 4:50am
Go Sindre! :^)
14 Apr 2012 — 6:25am
Congrats!
hhp
15 Apr 2012 — 12:54am
So well deserved! Warm congratulations, Sindre. I can hardly wait to see this (and more) out.
15 Apr 2012 — 4:21am
Thank you so much, friends! This typeface wouldn't have this good at all weren't it for your invaluable help.
5 Dec 2012 — 3:41am
And finally, today Telefon is released on Monokrom Type Foundry, founded by Frode Bo Helland and myself.
Thank you so much for all your help and support!
https://monokrom.no/fonts/telefon
https://monokrom.no/
5 Dec 2012 — 4:58am
Congratulations!
By the way, I find your Satyr/Faunus font family ridiculously cool. I've been thinking of buying Cala or Quadraat as a letter-writing font, but I think yours might just have made the top of the list.
5 Dec 2012 — 4:59am
Thank you! Very kind and encouraging words. Satyr is released today too, as you might have found out.
5 Dec 2012 — 6:32am
Yes, Satyr rules the forest.
hhp
6 Jan 2013 — 4:49am
Looks like this old thing somehow nailed the Zeitgeist, very much without at all trying. Telefon is now number four on FontShop's Popular-list. It wouldn't have happened without /node/66441. Thank you again!
6 Jan 2013 — 7:19am
Wonderful!
hhp
6 Jan 2013 — 12:41pm
@Sindre: It looks very solid, very well drawn, and historically aware, so although it is a pleasant surprise in some way it is no surprise to see it is gaining success. It shows you developed it with lots of love for the source material, which is good! :-)
14 Jan 2013 — 8:00am
Great news! Congrats Sindre – Telefon is a wonderful creation.