The light, ultra-condensed typeface Split Ends evokes a sense of elegance from a subject that is generally thought of as disgusting. The typeface is based on Valencia from the Lost Type foundry. The type is most appropriate for large headlines, rather than small subheads or copy. The cap height allows for the strands of hair to lay naturally on the letter form. The narrow angles of the apex and counters allows for the hair to appear realistic, as if the split ends happened to fall in that particular form. Each letterform features different attributes of the nature of split ends. The terminals contain different varieties of broken ends. Along the stroke of the letter form, split hairs follow the direction, breaking off as the form is created. Each stroke of the letterform has two strands of hair. These strands merge together, distance themselves, and split off from damage. Like hair, they are unpredictable, thus allowing for each form to show a brief story of the damaged strand. However destroyed these strands appear to be, the thinness of stroke and the effortless movement of the strand creates an impression of elegance. The split ends are stripped of their unappealing title. The organic form and delicate nature overpower the damage of the hair.
