What is this Typeface?

June 25, 2007 9:17 AM

What is This Type Filter: Seen here.

I've been looking for a clean san-serif typeface that is a bit condensed.

posted by Taken Outtacontext to media & arts (22 comments total)

WhatTheFont says:

Nimbus Sans or Botanika Lite SC Bold

among others that I don't think fit.
posted by neustile at 9:29 AM on June 25, 2007

I was gonna say Ministry, but the 'R' is all wrong, and it's not quite tall enough (though, I suppose it could've been stretched).
posted by pfafflin at 9:34 AM on June 25, 2007

DIN from fontfont? Try their preview out!
posted by pullayup at 10:02 AM on June 25, 2007

Sorry, here's a better link.
posted by pullayup at 10:03 AM on June 25, 2007

neustile, there's a little serif at the bottom of the R in Nimbus. Botanika is closer but the B isn't right.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 10:04 AM on June 25, 2007

I think it's just been condensed by horizontally squitching it by about 10% (in Illustrator or InDesign, for instance)--it looks a bit distorted.
posted by pullayup at 10:05 AM on June 25, 2007

pullayup, the loops in the B are not quite right with DIN.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 10:06 AM on June 25, 2007

The loops in the sample's B are almost identical (top one is just a bit smaller).
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 10:07 AM on June 25, 2007

I thought it was slightly mechanically-condensed Interstate Bold, which matches except for the M.
posted by luriete at 10:50 AM on June 25, 2007

It's a small sample but I suspect we're looking at Hoefler and Frere-Jones' Gotham. The M and R are both typical.
posted by zadcat at 10:54 AM on June 25, 2007

The poor aspect ratio on a couple of letters makes me think it's a pretty generic font, just stretched.
posted by wackybrit at 10:59 AM on June 25, 2007

My first hunch was Gotham as well, but Identifont should be able to help you know for sure.
posted by jjg at 11:10 AM on June 25, 2007

Gotham condensed 90% perhaps. I also looked at Interstate but the Ms in that font are wrong.
posted by zadcat at 11:34 AM on June 25, 2007

There are, by the way, no "generic" fonts. They're all distinct. The M and R in this font show that it's by no means merely yet another Helvetica knockoff, if that's what's implied by "generic".
posted by zadcat at 11:37 AM on June 25, 2007

On the WhatTheFont forum, someone identified it as News Gothic Bold. That looks pretty damn close. Whatcha think?
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 1:10 PM on June 25, 2007

Well, the strokes of the 'N' vary in thickness on News Gothic, compared to yr sample ... and the middle vertex of the 'M' in News Gothic sits on the baseline, while in the sample, it doesn't. Which makes me think the designer may have done some mixing-and-matching. But if you're happy with News Gothic, go fer it!
posted by pfafflin at 1:33 PM on June 25, 2007

How about Hamburg TS-Demi Bold?
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 2:13 PM on June 25, 2007

Almost, but the N is too wide, and the O too square. And the hook of the J comes all the way round rather than ending at an angle.

Do people mix-and-match typefaces? I've never known anyone to do it (apart from the Futura question mark, of course).
posted by Grangousier at 2:46 PM on June 25, 2007

You are right. The O isn't an exact match. Rats.

I've mixed typefaces for a logo before (then converted it to a vector graphic).
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 3:13 PM on June 25, 2007

The point of the M does not reach the baseline in your sample and that rules out News Gothic and Hamburg for starters.

Try the Typophile Type ID board if you do not think this is Gotham slightly machine-condensed.
posted by zadcat at 5:22 PM on June 25, 2007

The part that says "NOT JUST SMART" is without a doubt Gotham, smooshed a little.

But identifying the font in the "BRILLIANT" part, which is different, is driving me off-the-wall bonkers. Trade Gothic Bold No. 2 is like a 90% match, though.
posted by tepidmonkey at 8:36 PM on June 25, 2007

I wrote the company the ad is for to see if their marketing department could help. Thanks all.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 6:08 AM on June 26, 2007