National

Designer: Kris Sowersby // Foundry: Klim // Country of origin: New Zealand Release years: 2004–2009 // Classification: Neo-Grotesque Sans

National is a Grotesque with Humanist qualities. While there is very little contrast, the strokes are somewhat calligraphic in structure, with angled terminals and very little uniformity. The overall affect is a warmer, contemporary Grot — more casual than Univers or Neue Helvetica, but more modern than Bureau Grot or Knockout. Like all of Kris Sowersby’s work, National is fully equipped for professional typesetting, with all the language support, figure sets, and even small caps to tackle a wide variety of text. Good for: Straightforward text with a subtle informality. Annual reports that don’t put readers to sleep.