Near-Perfect Typefaces

Trevor Baum12 Apr 2011

We all know that there's no such thing as perfection, and that applies just as well in the world of type design. But what are some typefaces that come close if it wasn't for one little thing (one character, the italics, usability, numerals, etc)?

Examples:

Baskerville would be a perfect typeface if only its 'a' wasn't so wide and round.
Univers would be a perfect typeface if only it had small caps.
Futura would be a perfect typeface if only its ascenders weren't so weirdly tall.
Miller would be a perfect typeface if only it's 'k' didn't have a curved leg.

Have at it!

riccard012 Apr 2011#

.0012 Apr 2011#

WTFC

riccard012 Apr 2011#

WTFC

Well, for one, the similar thread I linked to spawned several interesting discussions. And, for another, I’m sure several new great typefaces were born when someone started thinking along the lines of “I love this typeface, but I can’t stand its [insert the feature of your choice]. I bet I can do better!”.

.0012 Apr 2011#

NIRDGAF

William Berkson12 Apr 2011#

LMAO

blank12 Apr 2011#

Avenir would look better if only it had the M from Gill Sans. Now where have I seen that…

quadibloc13 Apr 2011#

Century Expanded would be a perfect typeface if only it were a little less condensed.
Imprint would be a perfect typeface if the capital J didn't descend below the line.
Garamond would be a perfect typeface if the capital J didn't descend below the line, and the counter on the lowercase e were larger.
Times Roman would be a perfect typeface if only everyone else wasn't using it.

On the other hand, levity aside, and referring to the older thread referenced here, the serifs on the I in Bell Gothic are there for a reason - so that people reading something in it can, easily and unambiguously, in all cases, tell I, l, and 1 apart with no chance of error. This was a good idea for a typeface for setting telephone books.

paul d hunt13 Apr 2011#

HEORERKERJ!

.0014 Apr 2011#

when I was younger: JDOTRWS

now: SGAOTRWW

William Berkson14 Apr 2011#

WTF?

riccard020 May 2011#

http://typophile.com/node/82371

dezcom20 May 2011#

IPCFTWBB

dezcom20 May 2011#

An Act of Pure Genius
A very perfectly dressed man stands next to you on a crowded subway. From your vantage point just above his left shoulder, you notice a small bit of lint disturbing the otherwise astonishingly flawless appearance. While his head is turned away, you flick the lint off of his lapel without him ever noticing.

At your stop, you leave the train with the full knowledge that, on this day, you have achieved a perfection which was solely due to your amazing skill and superior perspective.

hrant20 May 2011#

Personally I never see only a small flaw in anything - it's always that I want to change a bunch of things.

EXCEPT for the one thing I have never been able to figure out how to improve in any way at all: the Yin/Yang symbol.

hhp

dezcom20 May 2011#

I never look at other people's work with the thought of it being something for me to fix. I would much rather let it be what is is or was to them. I have more than enough fixing to do on my own work and don't seem to be getting very far with that ;-)

Captured from commoncrawl.org on 25 Apr 2015. original URL