Vertigram

Vertigram is a condensed obround sans in six weights plus matching italics. The short descenders permit tight line spacing, continuing the tightly-packed rhythm.

Its forebears are the modern geometric sans exemplified by Compacta, designed by Fred Lambert for Letraset in 1963. The rub-down lettering company’s first original design, Compacta was often twinned with Microgramma (Eurostyle) on forward-looking graphics of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Enormously popular, it was undoubtely influenced by the more eccentric Placard, Impact, or the older Schmalfette Grotesk from 1954.

Vertigram’s wide range of weights and matching italics make it a versatile contemporary family, something foundry type or rub-down fonts could not always provide. It is designed with minimal space between stroke terminals and bowls to give it an even colour, and alternative designs for the lower-case r and t provide more compact forms where required. The subtly wedge-shaped ‘ears’ on characters such as the lower-case a, n and m ensure that there is no loss of clarity in smaller sizes. Includes old-style numerals and an international character set.

Vertigram Soft is a complimentary rounded version with a subtly warmer aesthetic.