Unleash your creativity with Dinamo's new typeface, Schengen! This epic collection of 108 fonts is a true labor of love, crafted over six years with an eye for detail and a passion for industrial aesthetics.
The Story Behind Schengen
Schengen began as a simple inspiration, drawing on classic typefaces like Helvetica and Eurostile. But designer Seb McLauchlan and his team at Dinamo took it further, exploring the world of vehicles, industry, and trade to create a unique, multi-weight masterpiece.
A Collaborative Journey
The project brought together Seb, co-founders Johannes Breyer and Fabian Harb, and designer Luke Charsley. It marked a full circle moment for Dinamo, with Seb being the first artist to release a typeface through the foundry nearly a decade ago. The growth of both the foundry and Seb's partnership is evident in this ambitious project, showcasing their dedication to purposefulness and intentional design.
The Power of Collaboration
Schengen involved many hands and creative minds. Seb and Johannes discuss the benefits of collaboration, highlighting how it brought the project to life. With three companion revival typefaces and a fun, vehicle-filled campaign, Schengen is a true testament to the power of teamwork.
The Evolution of Schengen
Seb explains how Schengen evolved, with its width axis and x-height changing to create a dynamic and unique typeface. The tension between references, like Helvetica and Eurostile, is carefully balanced, resulting in a typeface that goes beyond mere visual appeal.
The Aesthetic World of Schengen
The aesthetic world of Schengen solidified as Seb realized the common usage of certain typefaces in industry and commerce. The name Schengen pays homage to the border-free zone in Europe, reflecting the places Seb saw while driving around Europe and the UK. The timing of the project, during a period of political rhetoric and threats to Europe, adds an interesting layer to its narrative.
Motivation and Inspiration
Seb credits his motivation to the team, especially Luke, Johannes, and Chris Lawson. The energy and curiosity brought by Luke kept the project exciting. Seb describes the process as orchestrating a symphony, with different players and instruments coming together to create a harmonious whole.
The Purposefulness of Schengen
Seb emphasizes the importance of purposefulness in typeface design. He believes in giving designers the ability to achieve an exact vibe with their type choices. The 108 fonts in Schengen offer a wide range of weights and styles, catering to various design needs. Seb draws inspiration from Francois Rappo's releases at Optimo, which are known for their generosity in providing designers with a specific feeling through their typefaces.
The Fun of Creating Campaigns
The campaign for Schengen was a labor of love, with Mimi Schmidl's amazing rendering skills bringing the logistics world to life. Asel Tambay and Barnaby Ward designed the graphics on the vehicles, adding a humorous and physical element to the campaign. Johannes describes the process as a productive chaos, mirroring the diverse and messy world we live in.
The Release and Its Impact
Releasing Schengen is a cathartic experience for Seb and the team. They celebrate the typeface's journey and its potential impact on the design world. The campaign helps communicate the story of Schengen, making it more accessible and exciting for designers.
The Future of Schengen
Schengen's future looks bright, with extensions to Greek and Cyrillic scripts already in the works. The team is excited to see how designers will use Schengen in their projects, whether it's for party posters, books, or even as a doorbell sign. The possibilities are endless, and the team is eager to see the unexpected ways Schengen will be interpreted.
Dinamo's Hardware and Future Collaborations
Dinamo is known for its brilliant hardware, and they're always thinking of new ways to bring their fonts to life. The match packet idea, inspired by Europa Matches, is a fun example of this. The team also hints at potential collaborations, like a Freitag bag, which would be a hit with designers and font enthusiasts alike.
Conclusion
Schengen is more than just a typeface; it's a journey, a collaboration, and a celebration of design. With its unique aesthetic and purposefulness, Schengen is set to inspire and empower designers to create their own unique worlds.
