GD Grio

GD Grio draws inspiration from the grotesque subgenre of sanserifs. This is the original kind of sanserifs that were developed during the 19th and 20th century until they were eclipsed by the arrival of later subgenres like geometric sanserifs (such as Futura), humanist sanserifs (such as Gill Sans) and neogrotesque sanserifs (such as Helvetica).

The proportions as well as the spirit of grotesques show kinship with the serif typefaces used at the time, but with reduced stroke contrast and obviously no serifs.

So the stress is vertical, just like the later neogrotesque typefaces Helvetica and Univers, both of which were made in Switzerland in 1957 and went on to conquer the world with their clean and rational-looking aesthetic that embodied the modernist aspirations of their time.

Unlike neogrotesques, the older grotesques often had diagonal stroke endings, and there was less concern with ironing out irregularities in the lettershapes.

As a result, grotesques are often perceived as having more warmth and attitude than the later neogrotesques, and those qualities have sometimes brought them back into fashion.

Notable classics of the subgenre include Akzidenz Grotesk and Venus Grotesk, both from Germany, and Monotype Grotesk from the UK.

GD Grio takes cues from both Monotype Grotesk and Venus Grotesk, but ultimately GD Grio isn’t concerned with being faithful to either, but to bring back the spirit of those imperfect but charming sanserifs while at the same time making sure that the typeface works well on the web and in other digital environments.

GD Grio is sold at GD Foundry.