UNIVERS

Conceived in 1957 by Adrian Frutiger, Univers’ original function was to help positively shape society after the war through function and objectivity. Its variety of weights, styles and retained consistency has allowed it to adapt and function within a plethora of commercial contexts ever since.

Through Univers’ lifetime it has overcome a range of typesetting processes, from traditional hot metal type to phototypesetting and digital. In order to truly represent the typeface, this publication explores a variety of techniques and processes influenced by those used through Univers’ lifetime. 

‘To abandon craftsmanship and physical labour almost calls for a cultural and artistic decadence. All the main cultures of the past were based on craftsmanship, and creative articulation is impossible without the resistance of material and technique.’ - Emil Ruder 

Exploring these processes through contemporary design practice in order to expose the typeface through artistic interpretation and break away from traditional principles of design and function.  Referring back to traditional techniques and processes to allow us to slow down and bring new weight to our choices and leave the typeface open to chance. 

The contents of this book remains in original condition to communicate an honest representation of the typeface, therefore each page remains unedited to fully expose the typeface through process orientated design.

Letterpress / Dark Room Photograms (Phototypesetting*) / Collage / Screen Print / Monoprint / Digital Print / Debossing / Stencilling / Book Binding