Industry: Design

Typeface Design for Retina

Engineered against ink spread

Tobias Frere-Jones designed Retina, beginning with the MicroPlus subfamily for newspaper and television use. Exaggerated details and deep notches counteract ink spread and strengthen screen forms. A Standard subfamily offers more conventional proportions for larger settings. MoMA acquired Retina for its Architecture and Design Collection.

Set in Retina

Insights

MicroPlus weights are duplexed: every letterform keeps the same width from Extra Light to Bold.
Deep notches and exaggerated details are deliberate features countering ink spread in print and strengthening forms on screen.
The family comprises two subfamilies—MicroPlus for newspaper and television, Standard for larger settings—each with proportions suited to its context.