GD Optio

Between serif and sanserif, there’s an interesting range of possibilities. A pioneer in this space was Hermann Zapf’s typeface Optima, released in 1958, which is basically a sanserif but with incised strokes and unusually high stroke contrast.

Opinions diverge on Optima. Personally, I don’t think it reaches the lofty standards of Zapf’s calligraphy. But it still has to be said that it originated a new subgenre of sanserifs.

A personal favorite is Albertus, designed by Berthold Wolpe in 1932–40. It has more of serifs than Optima, but they stop well short of a typical serif typeface. The serifs are short and sharp, what is sometimes called flare serifs. I also like how Albertus combines low stroke contrast with sharp details where the strokes connect.

GD Optio draws inspiration from sources such as these and create a contemporary take on them. But while we talked a lot about Optima, Albertus and other references during the design process, GD Optio isn’t that close to any particular source.

For example, GD Optio has a straight segment in the middle of the stems, where Optima has a curve all the way. But the exact shapes of the curved parts at the ends of the strokes actually differ between letters, to create a subtly irregular and organic appearance.

Also unlike the original Optima, the italic version of GD Optio is not simply oblique, but departs from the Regular in many ways, that makes it more interesting and useful.

GD Optio is sold at GD Foundry.