BeDARK A Geometric Sans Serif Based Akzidenz Grotesk
Be-X // BEDARK [BOLD]
The typeface is Be-X. BeDARK is the heaviest weight, while BeMID is a medium and BeLIGHT as the thin weight. The typeface is based on Akzidenz Grotesk which was one of the first widely used sans-serif typefaces circa 1896. Akzidenz Grotesk has been extremely influential as a model for sans-serif type design since the 1950's. It is one of my favorite typefaces, but I had a vision for alterations on so many characters it only made sense to design a full typeface on my own. Most of these alterations were born from experience designing in the digital space. While designing digital products (apps and portals) the demands of the digital platform become demanding constraints that require suitable building blocks. Finding a digital version of a flexible sans-serif that works as display copy, body copy, and actionable UI elements is a tall order.
Make it float.
The alterations I envisioned for an Akzidenz Grotesk based font were mostly focused on the structure of the type forms. I wanted to reduce the humanist elements to capture more of a technical execution. I extended the bowls for both the upper case and lower letters to be more rectilinear. This effected both legibility when used at smaller point-sizes especially for the thinner weights.
Inspiration
Beyond the ample inspiration of Akzidenz Grotesk I also took cues from Avenir and several modern typefaces categorized as minimal modern and even tech influences. Swiss type design has been a heavy weight in the visual communications realm for as long as it has existed—there are many other faces and trends that have influenced this face as well.
