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Commentary

Search Fonts by Sight with TypeNavigator

Christian Palino on March 13, 2005

TypeNavigator from FontShop takes a multiple choice approach to finding fonts. By offering a visual representation of basic typographic elements: style, width, angle, contrast, etc. TypeNavigator attempts to narrow the results to the font you’re looking for. Though the criteria seems a bit weak and not quite diverse enough to support individuals with extensive type knowledge, it is a step in the right direction for browsing something as visually complex as typography.

Currently, the results are pulled only from the FontFont library, but Linotype’s collection was just added to the search scheme and will be live in a matter of days.

4 Responses to “Search Fonts by Sight with TypeNavigator”

  1. bola says:
    03.15.05 at 3:07 pm

    The foundries usually make this search apps to search in its own catalog. An universal search option would be very handy.

  2. elf says:
    03.26.05 at 6:13 am

    Could common cultural reference points be a method of describing fonts? In other words, would it help to have a catalog that would answer “What was the font used in the credits of the movie ‘Raging Bull’?”

  3. Yves peters says:
    03.29.05 at 1:13 am

    I don’t think that’s feasable because that would make for a gargantuan database. Furthermore, there’s no real need because that’s what we are for. ;)

  4. Stephen Coles says:
    04.05.05 at 5:10 pm

    TypeNav is now in phase two with Linotype fonts included in the results. I find the searches are much more successful and revealing now.

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Typographica is a review of typefaces and type books, with occasional commentary on fonts and typographic design. Edited by Stephen Coles, also of Fonts In Use and The Mid-Century Modernist.

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