Optima

Optima
CategorySans-serif
ClassificationHumanist
Designer(s)Hermann Zapf
FoundryStempel
Linotype
Date released1958
VariationsOptima 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.

  1. ^ Haley, Allen. "Optima" (PDF). Monotype Imaging. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  2. ^ Shaw, Paul. "About More Alphabets review". Blue Pencil letter design. Retrieved 23 November 2015.