Oh I should mention that the poster is offset.

What about Frutiger™ Next Condensed or FF Meta Condensed Normal?

Trade Gothic condensed? Unless the Gill comes with an alternate 1, which I couldn’t find, I would reconsider that when used with numerals. Impressive piece of work.

Tim

Frutiger condensed isn't any more condensed that helvetica neue, im looking for some serious condensity

Trade Gothic is ok, about 10% more condensed than Helvetica condensed, any other suggestions?

You might wanna take a look at Linotype Univers 49 (or 39, 59).

There is more to economy (pun?) than character width. Allow me to suggest something that can be set smaller and still be at least as legible as a condensed Helvetica or Univers:
http://www.gerardunger.com/allmytypedesigns/allmytypedesigns20.html

The Font Bureau has a number of really complete sans-serif type families that could be useful. Antenna, Agenda, and Relay appear to have four widths, and Amplitude has an incredible five. Amplitude could be particularly good, as its pronounced ink traps could be useful in small sizes. Check out the many sans-serifs to be had over there -- many could be appropriate.

Font Bureau aside it's interesting that all the suggestions for a United States Budget poster have been for European designed types! How appropriate is that? mibi, show some patriotism and pick a Chinese font for crying out loud! ;-)

Damn Si, us Merkins dono nutin' but dezinin no type :-P

ChrisL

True, but when it comes to fighting wars and racing cars...

Don't get me started on that war stuff.

ChrisL

I am going to recommend Hoefler & Frere-Jones Knockout. Got some serious condensed forms, as well as some super fatty's. Best of luck.

http://typography.com/catalog/knockout/index.html

Wasn't Trade Gothic designed by an American? Although a smaller use typeface might be an alternative way to go (like Bell Centennial).

Tim

yeah i think I am going to have to reduce the size a bit, any ideas for an open, legible font at around 8pt?

There has just come out a new font by Cyrus Highsmith that is pretty much condensed: http://www.fontbureau.com/pdf/Antenna.pdf

You may try Myriad pro,it's super ok even if u use it much smaller then 11p

I've tried Myriad, is there much a difference in the Pro?

Which variant of Myriad standard did you try? Myriad Pro has more variants in the family.

Ok, after running a few test prints I am going to run with Frutiger Condensed at 8pt. Thanks for the suggest carlos. It seems very open which is good when there is so much data and text hitting the viewer in the face. at 8pt it still maintains good clarity and contrast. Bell Centennial and trade gothic seemed a bit too emaciated at 8pt when its white on black.

Amplitude condensed regular 9pt was also a contender as it will save me an extra 2mm on average. I might switch if I need those milimeters. Myriad Condensed at 10pt I might use aswell as it saves as much space as Frutiger with a little extra height. Anyone know how Myriad differs from Myriad Pro?

Allow me to suggest something that can be set smaller and still be at least as legible as a condensed Helvetica or Univers:
http://www.gerardunger.com/allmytypedesigns/allmytypedesigns20.html

I also wanted to suggest Unger. He designs alot of newspaper type, which as you know are usually specifically crafted for economy, while keeping legibility at a maximum. And, most of them are also very beautiful.
If you really need economical faces, I would look at something like that, instead of a condensed version of a 'normal' typeface, which in my eyes usually are less legible.

MYRIAD
regular
italic
bold
bold italic

MYRIAD PRO
light condesed
light condesed italic
condensed
condenst italic
semibold condensed
semibold condensed italic
bold condensed
bold condensed italic
black condensed
black condensed italic
light
light italic
regular
italic
semibold
semibold italic
bold
bold italic
black italic

I agree at 8pt reversed out Trade Gothic is too fine, have you tried bold (or sub caption for Bell Centennial)? Obviously space, lack of weights becomes an issue here. Amplitude looks promising, never had the opportunity to use it though.

Tim

While you are listing the members of the Myriad Pro family, don't forget Myriad Pro Semi-Extended