OUGD405 - Blackletter

OUGD405

Blackletter

The Blackletter typeface (also referred to as Gothic, Fraktur or Old English) was used in the Guthenburg Bible, one of the first books printed in Europe. This style of typeface is recognizable by its dramatic thin and thick strokes, and in some fonts, the elaborate swirls on the serifs. Blackletter typefaces are based on early manuscript lettering.

Although there is a wide variety of blackletters, four major families can be identified; Textura, Rotunda, Schwabacher and Frakur.

Blackletters are difficult to read as body text and the introduction of Roman and Italic faces, which were easier to print with moveable type, made Blackletter become less popular in the 1500’s except in Germany in German speaking countries.

In 1933 Hitler declared Flaktur to be the people’s font. The Nazis continued to use Fraktur extensively until 1941 when it was replaced by more readable fonts.

Blackletter is best used as a title font, in logos and posters. It is commonly used in diploma or degree certificates and newspaper nameplates.

Blackletter is used on:

Corona beer label

Motorhead’s album cover

The Disneyland Sign

David Rudnick is a graphic designer who has designed a typeface which has been heavily influenced by blackletter called Hyperzeit which he used as part of a album cover and band identity.

Julien Priez is a typographer who has created a typeface in the style of blackletter. His composition and kerning gives his work a modern and fresh feel.