Of course the one with the curve

I would say the one with the crossing line.
But it need work on the bolder weight.

To me the curved one looks a bit silly -- sillier the similar tails in Charter and Georgia, for example (though I don't really like the Charter one either).

How about using a straight(er) line but letting it extend below the baseline?

I like the crossed line to keep Q running flush in all caps setting (same with cap J), but it needs some help in the bold weight, I can understand why you are having trouble. How are other bold designs completed?

I guess Univers Q is another option?

Andrew >How are other bold designs completed?
— So far, I only did the light and black lower case and caps.

Olli Miettinen >How about using a straight(er) line but letting it extend below the baseline?
— I will try your suggestion. At first glance, this seems a good idea, but I wonder how it will fit with other letters.

If i choose the crossed line, I know I will have to work on the thickness of the line to avoid problem a small size.

Thanks for your advice.

I thought it could perhaps work like this.

But then, your design seems blacker, and the shape of the O/Q more square, which takes up the space where the line might sit.

What do you think?

What if the bold weight didn't have the cross bar on the inside?

I saw a Q once that had a dovetail (symmetrical Q), I can't find the image now. That could be an alternative to the hooked tail in your first example. Perhaps someone will drop by with an image.

It might get confused with some diacritic though? I'm not sure, my knowledge is not extensive enough to foresee.

Andrew: I had understood your suggestion about the Univers Q which one fit perfect with the shape of the O of Univers, less square then mine though. However, I will try it. I think the dovetail could be a way to go, but I wonder if it will fit with the letter design.

Darrel: Interesting suggestion, I'll come back with some try.

Still to continue. Thanks

I did some tests with different Q. I look for a design that is easy to read small size.

Your comments are very useful. Thanks

Last one on the black, first one on the light (maybe a little shorter on the inside).

I like the first Q for the light one, and the last Q for the bold one.

Maybe you can use both? And explain that the line gets "hidden" in the bold one.

edit: typophile was down for a while.. and then riccard0 beat me to it :)

I like the first Q for the light one, and the last Q for the bold one.
Me too.

Do you think it could have problem to have a light Q with the crossed line and a bold weight without? I mean, in the way there is a difference in the design, as if the bolder weight were not part of the same family.

Have you ever glanced at Gill Sans? ;-)
Joking aside, the important thing is that the overall feeling is right, more than the technical construction.
You could shorten the inside stroke of the light weight so to better suggest that it will be covered by the outer stroke in bolder weights. Or you could hint it in bolder weights using just a triangle shape instead of a full stroke.

Ricardo: thanks for your suggestion. I will try it. Your're right, I've to keep in mind that the “overall feeling” is also a part of a typeface.

Do you think it could have problem to have a light Q with the crossed line and a bold weight without?

I'm with riccard0, it's the overall feeling that matters, and those two Q's make me feel the same.

Yeah, Gill gives you permission!

>Andrew: LOL

>Ori Ben Dor: Thanks for your answer. This approach could probably solve my readability problem. I will also try something larger outside the Q on bolder weight.

My basic rule is to make sure it's different from 'O'. After that it depends on design. Go crazy. Or not…

Brake of the counter shape makes it easier to differentiate from 'O', but…

Good point Tomi. That's why my goal is to have a Q that is consistent with other letters and also the most readable in small size. Maybe this is not one of those already drawn. Still looking for the better one.

I've pondered this many times, and there is no single right answer.

But try a bar slightly narrower than your 'I', and rotate that 15° to 20° to work with your narrow design, and just let it be as if it's just pushed out of your 'O'.

"Last one on the black, first one on the light"

"I like the first Q for the light one, and the last Q for the bold one."

I concur.

> Tomi: At first glance I'd think that 15° or 20° would be not enough oblique, but I will try. Thanks for your suggestion.

> Darrel: If the trend continues, those two Q will be the better choice :^)