I think that timeless is something that happens over time, not something which can be predicted 100% of the time. So you, it is possible to develop a timeless typeface. But I doubt one would be able to sit down and say, “today, I will design a timeless typeface,” and then do it. You see what I mean?

Timeless really comes about because of application, I think. If you are living in 1930, and you design a new face for the Times of London, it is a good bet it’ll become a timeless face, just because the most significant newspaper of the day will use it. What’s a 2006 equivalent? A face like Verdana that a company like Microsoft will put on ever machine so it’ll be all over the internet?

I agree. I think end use is definitely a factor. It seems to me like designing a typeface for pure functionality has a much better chance of being timeless than, say, a display typeface.

designing a typeface for pure functionality has a much better chance of being timeless than, say, a display typeface.

That depends, I think. I think that both Mistral and ITC Avant Garde Gothic are timeless, even though that are both dated. The weren’t designed to be “funtional” per se (although they both had lots of alternates, so they were rich in terms of functions), but they were both designed with a purpose in mind. I doubt that in either case, the designer was bored and j