Typophile

Information about typeface Chaparral

ginagrandiosa

Hello everybody,

I´m a design student from Augsburg in Germany. At school i´m in a typographic project. The students may analise a typeface (their structure, composition and so on). I decided to deal with Chaparral. But i couldn´t find much about that typeface. I also need some information about Carol Twombly who created Chaparral. Maybe one of you can help me. Any advice would further.

Thank you for any information
Regina

Lubricate thoroughly before you proceed. That Chaparral looks to have some nasty edges.

In that project it doesn´t matter if the typeface is well-conceived. I decided to take Chaparral because of its characteristic features. The results of our studies are important.

Hi Regina!
[Ignore Claus, he’s just making fun of a certain misspelled word ;-)]

For Carol Twombly, consult the wiki. And check out this thread.

Here are a couple of quotes on Chaparral, from typophiles. It seems to be quite a polarising face. I, for one, like it very much (using it for my stationery & stuff).

I keep trying to use it and it always seems to fall short. I can’t articulate why. — Patty

Chaparral […] could end up as a standard children’s font for me. — Malte

Chaparral is hard to use well, for sure. — Will

Chaparral is probably the only slab that has optical sizes. I do have to say that it’s really versatile, though it’s not exactly a Scala-kind-of-workhorse. — Bram

What ONE typeface would you have rather not exist? Chaparral. Ok, you beat me up for this one. — Thomas

Bringhurst does mention Chaparral in his list of types. And since he mentions so relatively few types, that means he gave it his seal of approval. — Reed
(Bringhurst’s The Solid Form of Language is set in Chaparral.)

Plus: some unisonous thoughts about pairing:
Auto is sort of a Chaparral Sans. — Stewf
The informal shapes of Chaparral will probably play real nice with Auto. — Carl

F

Thank you very much. That helps a lot.

Don't trust any supposedly informed speculation/information about Carol from anyone who can't even spell her name correctly, is all I can say.

T

Did Carol Twombly ever tell something about the typeface - maybe about the development and her motivations?

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