Industry: Design

Houston

A newspaper typeface tracing its DNA through Morris, Monotype, and Nebiolo

Houston is a Venetian Oldstyle typeface drawn by Christian Schwartz in 2003 for Roger Black's redesign of the Houston Chronicle. Its roman structure derives from British Monotype's Italian Old Style, itself rooted in William Morris's Golden Type. The italic draws from Nebiolo Jenson Oldstyle, with some influence from ATF Jenson Oldstyle as well. Originally a custom commission, it is now available through Commercial Type's Vault.

Set in Houston

Insights

The Bold carries noticeably shorter serifs than the Roman to allow tighter spacing.
The alternate italic, used in feature sections, draws more heavily from Nebiolo Jenson Oldstyle than the standard italic does.
The design layers multiple historical sources: the roman via Morris's Golden Type through Monotype's Italian Old Style; the italic via Nebiolo Jenson Oldstyle and, in places, ATF Jenson Oldstyle.