ACUMIN: THE NEW NEO GROTESQUE TYPEFACE

Problem: Create a type specimen booklet with a footer and/or header with two typefaces that paired well together, design five spreads that showcase different aspects of the typefaces with only one splash page and a cover system, and print the type specimen booklet out to proper 5 x 7 in dimensions.

Solution: I chose Acumin as the typeface I wanted to represent because of it’s extensive variability and unique look. I began by doing research on the history of Acumin and other grotesque typefaces to see where they differed. I found that Acumin had many humanistic qualities to it compared to other grotesque typefaces and I decided to highlight those features on a page dedicated to showing off it’s unique anatomy. I also created a splash page that highlighted the varying widths and stylizations of typefaces, a page on the history of grotesque typefaces, the vast library of symbols and characters of Acumin, and a page covering the various typefaces that paired well with it. I also created a circle motif that was used to highlight the various parts of anatomy as well as visualizing page numbers in a unique way. In terms of color and contrast I decided to strip back the color palette while only using a bright green for a “pop color” to enhance the humanistic qualities of Acumin and opting to use a dark and light gray instead of black and white to enhance the cold nature of grotesque typefaces while simultaneously making the aesthetic of the booklet space-like and mysterious.