A curated list of digital specimens
of the highest quality. Updated daily.

screenshot of MD Primer

MD Primer

MD Primer is a digital reinterpretation the flaws and inconsistencies of early sans-serifs. Big, bold, stacked type testers are the order of the day. You may notice that the type tester words are all of a full screen width. A simple, subtle but sophisticated addition to the specimen.

Published on 17 May 2021
screenshot of Mantar

Mantar

A simple one-pager for Mantar. The accompanying mini site is an immersive story-based experience. Be sure to read the design notes for some detail on the design brief and exploratory illustrations.

Published on 16 May 2021
screenshot of NON Section

NON Section

I'm a big fan of experimental typefaces. 'NON is a series of limited edition type systems that utilise the basic latin and numerical character sets to create abstract forms, rhythms and fields from otherwise ordinary text.'. In some ways, however, it would be nice if the specimen expanded on this brief.

Published on 16 May 2021
screenshot of Grandstander

Grandstander

A friendly font for letter lovers. A really great, functional specimen for Grandstander from ETC. Added benefit? It's available on Google Fonts for you to use now.

Published on 14 May 2021
screenshot of Bau

Bau

This specimen from Nodo Type Foundry is notable for it's long-form text type tester. It provides options for the user not seen in many specimens: multiple columns, multi-language, and different default character sets.

Published on 14 May 2021
screenshot of Pleasure

Pleasure

I'm not going to say too much about this one. Expect conventions to be broken, and preconceptions challenged.

Published on 09 May 2021
screenshot of Mercure

Mercure

Mercure, designed by Charles Mazé, is the result of an inquiry into Latin epigraphy and the typographic forms associated with that discipline. A touch of the experimental mixed with the conventional of digital type specimens. Yes please.

Published on 05 May 2021
screenshot of Lausanne

Lausanne

The graphic design of this specimen walks the line between two aesthetics - digital and print - but doesn't quite deliver on either. Which is a shame. With the introduction of a type tester, some clearer description of features and styles, it would be much improved.

Published on 05 May 2021
screenshot of Noordenwind

Noordenwind

Noordenwind is a typeface inspired by the turbulent Dutch winds. The really interesting part of this project is the different weights for each month, each with its own levell of stress and distortion matching the dutch weather.

Published on 05 May 2021
screenshot of Noe Display

Noe Display

A couple of things to admire here but not the things you'd expect. The in-specimen navigation is subtle, supportive, and stays out of the way. The 'buy' buttons next to each type tester. The simple introduction of a centred waterfall.

Published on 05 May 2021
screenshot of Termoli Font

Termoli Font

Termoli is a contemporary take on the scotch typeface genre. The specimen is an interesting assortment of white on black content elements and type testers.

Published on 04 May 2021
screenshot of Faubourg

Faubourg

This specimen for Faubourg from Positype follows the increasing trend of 'everything is a type tester' but only having the controls available when the user is interacting with that content which makes things look nicely decluttered the rest of the time. Nice addition of the accompanying glyphs on the glyph preview.

Published on 02 May 2021
screenshot of GT Maru

GT Maru

Well, Grilli Type do it again. A wonderful, thoughtful micro site for the new font GT Maru. Crammed full of engaging illustrations and animations whilst not distracting from key selling points and features of the new font. It's just so good.

Published on 27 Apr 2021
screenshot of PlymouthPress

PlymouthPress

More like a product page than a type specimen, but it's an interesting project. I really like the randomisation feature. I just wish there was an outlined webfont version!

Published on 20 Apr 2021
screenshot of Graf

Graf

A really effective, lightweight, and simple specimen for Graf. The tiles of different colour settings work really well as a mosaic.

Published on 20 Apr 2021
screenshot of Puffin Arcade

Puffin Arcade

Want some throwback arcade chrome pixel fonts? Puffin Arcade is brilliant. Reminds me of Bubble Bobble from about 1988 on the Amiga. It's aching for a bespoke mini site or specimen rather than being presented as part of the wider Bold Monday catalogue.

Published on 19 Apr 2021
screenshot of Auger Mono

Auger Mono

There is something about this specimen that reminds me of the printed specimens from Emigre in the mid 90's. Maybe it's the colour combinations, or the simple panels of large glyphs.

Published on 16 Apr 2021
screenshot of Fiction

Fiction

As a specimen to evaluate weights at different sizes, different settings, many don't come as good as this one. In-depth and detailed, however it still lacks some contextual designs to really demonstrate the font in action.

Published on 13 Apr 2021