15
Aug
The Road to Clarity - New York Times
“What I saw was Clearview, the typeface that is poised to replace Highway Gothic, the standard that has been used on signs across the country for more than a half-century. Looking at a sign in Clearview after reading one in Highway Gothic is like putting on a new pair of reading glasses: there’s a sudden lightness, a noticeable crispness to the letters.”
I actually really dislike the new font. I feel like the x-heights are too high, the letters too rounded — to the point where it actually impairs readability.
That, and I’m a sucker for Highway Gothic / Interstate.
I think tails on the Ls are nice step forward. I’m glad so much research and testing went into the font, and I love the notes in the slideshow about “larger interior shapes” and “larger spaces where letters terminate.”