SP Saffron Grotesk: A Neo-Grotesque Typeface Inspired by Swiss Modernism

Designers Paul Robb and Moira Bartoloni Create a Unique Font with a Retro Feel

The inspiration for SP Saffron Grotesk was drawn from Swiss modernist typefaces, dating from the 1960s to the present. The design and form of the accompanying folder were inspired by the concept of a reference binder and a usage manual. This approach gives the modern digital typeface a retro feel, creating a unique contrast.

Saffron is an elegant contemporary neo-grotesque sans-serif typeface with strong stylistic geometric contrasts. Its distinctive wide-open stance was designed to provide the right visual consistency for branding and communications. This original typeface represents the shifting contemporary aesthetics. The specimen is divided into sections, with ring-binded posters inside the pack, further enhancing its uniqueness.

The binder, which houses the typeface, is printed in 8 colors using various stock papers, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal of the design. The binder's dimensions are 230 x 320 x 80, making it a compact and convenient reference tool.

The design process for SP Saffron Grotesk started in August 2021 and was completed in December 2021. The research was carried out in a museum of printing, using the hot metal systems of linotype and monotype as a base to discover the best idea for the legality, spacing, and counter size. The challenge was to create a new set of forms and aesthetics for a sans-serif font, using the elegance of a serif and transforming it into a gothic sans.

This design has been recognized for its creativity and innovation, winning the Silver A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.