FF Karbid Display

FF Karbid is a contemporary interpretation of storefront lettering done between 1900 and the late 1930s and preserved due to the German Democratic Republic’s economy of scarcity. In the beginning of the 1990s, FF Karbid’s designer Verena Gerlach began documenting storefront lettering in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte districts. Sadly, these have since almost entirely disappeared, due to gentrification and renovation work in the reunified German capital. Originally published in only three weights and one display version in 1999, FF Karbid was completely redesigned and extended in 2011. All of the FF Karbid fonts contain numerous alternate characters, allowing you to considerably change the appearance of the typeface. For instance, using OpenType stylistic sets, you can choose between low- and high-waisted variants of capitals, a circular O and G, an A with either a pointed apex or a rounded top, and many more alternates, all of which may be used interchangeably. Each of the FF Karbid fonts also include multiple figure sets, plus arrows, bullets, and full Latin Extended language support. In FF Karbid Display, the characteristic letter forms were assimilated, then subtly revised to match the new concept. The family was extended to five weights, complete with matching Obliques. FF Karbid Slab came out of the 2011 reworking of the FF Karbid family. Its sober, newslike character was inspired by magazine typography in the 1930s (see Memphis, Rockwell, Stymie, etc.). Its strong serifs give the slab a dignified and assured look. The stroke contrast was increased for legibility and balance.The final variant added is for setting text: FF Karbid Text. The eccentric, serif-like swashes in the lowercase a, d, h, m, n, u and capital R were abandoned, while the lively l, y, z and Z reveal this variant’s kinship to the FF Karbid family.