Suitable for serious applications as well as more playful designs, FS Irwin is the latest must-have typeface from Fontsmith.
It's always a good idea to keep your design armoury well-stocked with fresh fonts, and the latest typeface from London-based type foundry Fontsmith looks like a the perfect addition to your collection of professional fonts.
FS Irwin is a text-oriented, humanist sans-serif. It was created by Fontsmith's senior designer Fernando Mello, and inspired by New York and his time studying typeface design at the Cooper Union's five-week Cooper Condensed Program.
FS Irwin is a clear and versatile, humanist sans serif
The brief was for a clear yet unique typeface that could communicate well, while avoiding loud and overtly mannered design structure. Mello started off by studying inscriptional lettering and doing calligraphic exercises, before going digital and adapting this approach into a more workable, humanist sans-serif structure.
His work was influenced by the bold, in-your-face style of the New York subway font, but evolved into something quite different while still capturing its spirit. "In a similar way to London, New York is so mixed and so cosmopolitan," says Mello. "I was amazed by the different styles and identities I saw there, and tried to encapsulate this essence to create something new, relevant and very now."
Fernando Mello's inspiration came from time spent in New York
Mello started work on FS Irwin in 2014, and the team at Fontsmith has been refining it ever since. Described by Fontsmith as a typeface that conveys quality design and simplicity rather than focusing on quirks or distinctive characteristics, FS Irwin's proportions and details mean it is adaptable across any situation or application – from more playful designs to serious corporate identities – thanks to a welcoming, yet sincere tone.
FS Irwin will suit serious corporate work or with more playful designs
FS Irwin comes in 12 weights to suit all your needs; you can buy individual weights for £15 each, or the entire family for £180. To find out more, head over to the Fontsmith site.
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Jim McCauley is a writer, performer and cat-wrangler who started writing professionally way back in 1995 on PC Format magazine, and has been covering technology-related subjects ever since, whether it's hardware, software or videogames. A chance call in 2005 led to Jim taking charge of Computer Arts' website and developing an interest in the world of graphic design, and eventually led to a move over to the freshly-launched Creative Bloq in 2012. Jim now works as a freelance writer for sites including Creative Bloq, T3 and PetsRadar, specialising in design, technology, wellness and cats, while doing the occasional pantomime and street performance in Bath and designing posters for a local drama group on the side.
