Universal typeface

E84307

Universal typeface is a minimalist, geometric sans-serif typeface designed by Bauhaus artist Herbert Bayer as an experimental attempt to create a simplified, universal writing system.


Statements (39)

Predicate Object
instanceOf geometric sans-serif typeface
typeface
associatedWith Bauhaus typography
Herbert Bayer
surface form: Herbert Bayer’s universal alphabet project
basedInMovement Bauhaus
category display typeface
creatorOccupation Bauhaus master
graphic designer
typographer
designCharacteristic geometric
minimalist
sans-serif
designer Herbert Bayer
designGoal simplified alphabet
universal writing system
digitalRevival inspired multiple contemporary digital fonts
feature elimination of capital letters
experimental character set
lowercase-only design
reduction of letterforms to basic geometric shapes
use of circles and straight lines
historicalStatus prototype rather than widely released commercial typeface
inceptionPeriod 1920s
inceptionPlace Bauhaus Dessau building
surface form: Bauhaus Dessau
influenced Bauhaus-inspired display typefaces
later geometric sans-serif typefaces
influencedBy Bauhaus design principles
functionalism in design
modernism
languageSupport English
German
other Western European languages
notableFor iconic status in Bauhaus typography history
radical simplification of alphabet
removal of typographic contrast between upper and lower case
scriptDirection left-to-right
usage Bauhaus publications and posters
experimental design projects
writingSystem Latin alphabet

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Herbert Bayer designed Universal typeface
Herbert Bayer notableWork Universal typeface