Instead of seeking inspiration in the past, Fedra Serif is a synthetic typeface where aesthetic and technological decisions are linked. Fedra combines seemingly contradictory ways of constructing characters into one harmonious font. Its humanistic roots (the rhythm of the handwriting) is balanced with rational drawing (a coarse computer-screen grid). More…

Fedra Serif has four weights, italics, small caps, and expert sets for each weight and four different numeral systems (proportional, lining figures; old style figures; tabular, fixed-width figures; and fractions). The font also comes in two different versions with different lengths of the ascenders and descenders (stem lengths). Version A matches the proportions of Fedra Sans, with a large x-height and short stem length, which make it work well in small sizes and in low-resolution print. Version B prolongs the stem lengths up to 12%, and increases the contrast between the thick and thin parts. Both versions have the same letter widths and kerning pairs, so they can be interchanged in a body of text without reflowing the text. Combined, these variants result in a typeface suitable even for most complex typographic situations.

It is a common practice to present new typefaces as solutions for particular problems. Fedra Serif tries to go beyond the problem-solving aspect of type design, it is a contemporary typeface, and reflects on its historical position and motivations for designing type today in the following essay.

Contrary to Fedra Serif A, version B has an increased contrast and stem lengths, and it is suitable for high-resolution printing and display where its shape can be better appreciated.