National by Kris Sowersby

Designed by Kris Sowersby
Published by KLIM
Available from Village
Winner TDC2 2008

In Use

Typefaces of 2007 index »

National is the second typeface released by KLIM within a year and has been termed a revival of the 19th century English and American grotesks. While there is a hint of grotesk, it does not simply copy but is truly a reflection of the present — type made in and for the digital age (of course!).

National is slightly mannered, which becomes more apparent in the heavier weights yet it still remains simple, subtle and serious. A digitally carved Opentype wonder, it has everything the modern designer needs for modern typesetting. Rather than dwell on the amazing OpenType features, it’s the typeface as a whole that should really be given attention. It has a human charm that gives such warmth and learned beauty to text and after seeing paragraphs and pages set in it I’m sure the reader will agree too.

While National is only the second retail typeface from KLIM it has already been awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the TDC in Typeface Design 2008.

Duncan Forbes is a designer — and occasional type critic — at the studio Experimenta in Wellington, New Zealand.