 | |
| Category | Sans-serif |
|---|---|
| Classification | Humanist |
| Designer(s) | Hermann Zapf |
| Foundry | Stempel Linotype |
| Date released | 1958 |
| Variations | Optima Nova |
Optima is a humanist sans-serif typeface designed by Hermann Zapf and released by the D. Stempel AG foundry, Frankfurt, West Germany in 1958.
Though classified as a sans-serif, Optima has a subtle swelling at the terminals suggesting a glyphic serif. Optima was inspired by classical Roman capitals and the stonecarving on Renaissance-period tombstones Zapf saw in Florence on a 1950 holiday to Italy.[1]
Zapf intended Optima to be a typeface that could serve for both body text and titling. To prove its versatility, Zapf set his entire book About Alphabets in the regular weight.[2] Zapf retained an interest in the design, collaborating on variants and expansions into his eighties.
- ^ Haley, Allen. "Optima" (PDF). Monotype Imaging. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ Shaw, Paul. "About More Alphabets review". Blue Pencil letter design. Retrieved 23 November 2015.