Greatest fonts countdown: 88 – FF Info

FontShop AG, the renowned type foundry, conducted a survey based on historical relevance, sales at FontShop.com, and aesthetic quality. With a few additions from the experts at Creative Bloq and Computer Arts magazine, the best fonts ever were selected for the new book, 100 Best Typefaces Ever.

Here we are counting down the 100 greatest fonts, but you can read interviews with some of the typefaces' creators, a brief history of type, the anatomy of a font, and much, much more in the book – find out how to get your copy in print or digital formats at the foot of this post.

88. FF Info

Erik Spiekermann, 1996

On 11 April 1996, welding work at Düsseldorf Airport caused a devastating fire with Terminals A and B destroyed. It was decided that flights would be scheduled to resume in time for the summer holidays. Within six weeks, MetaDesign had designed a system of signage to guide passengers safely through the tents and temporary halls. The typeface chosen for this purpose was based on a 1988 design created by Erik Spiekermann for the Italian pharmaceutical company Fidia.

The new FF Info was easy to read and economical, and its rounded corners were an advantage when it came to plotting the type quickly. Months after airport business had returned to normal, FF Info was expanded with Ole Schäfer’s help to include a body text version for printed materials. The FF Info Pro Collection contains 28 fonts in total.

Poster for the D&uuml;sseldorf signage, designed by Brigitte Hartwig at MetaDesign in 1996. Image copyright &copy; Erik Spiekermann — Poster for the Düsseldorf signage, designed by Brigitte Hartwig at MetaDesign in 1996. Image copyright © Erik Spiekermann

The 100 Best Typefaces Ever

This is an extract from The 100 Best Typefaces Ever, the definitive guide to the greatest fonts ever created, in association with FontShop AG. Over 180 premium pages, the book dissects the world's greatest typefaces, bringing you some insightful background on each and interviews with their creators.

You can pick up the book at all good newsagents today or order it online. Or you can download a digital edition directly to your iPad from the Computer Arts app on iTunes.

Rob is editorial, graphic design and publishing lead at Transport for London. He previously worked at Future Publishing over the course of several years, where he launched digital art magazine, ImagineFX; and edited graphic design magazine Computer Arts, as well as the Computer Arts Projects series, and was also editor of technology magazine, T3.