Typeface Design for Lineto

A trilogy completed: Brunner's humanist answer to Akkurat and Circular

LL Kristall is the third typeface in Laurenz Brunner's sans-serif trilogy at Lineto, following the neo-grotesque LL Akkurat (2004) and the geometric LL Circular (2013). Released in 2025, it introduces a humanist sans that completes the series. Brunner's formative years in London—where he briefly studied at St. Martin's School of Art—brought lasting exposure to Edward Johnston's Underground lettering and Margaret Calvert's road signage. The design features low contrast and vertically cut terminals, and spans Light to Ultra Black.

Set in LL Kristall

Insights

The design consciously positions humanism as an under-explored space relative to neo-grotesque and geometric models.
Vertically cut terminals and low contrast distinguish it from softer humanist contemporaries, lending structural robustness.
Inspiration traces to Johnston's Underground type and Calvert's UK road signage, both encountered during Brunner's formative years in London.
Font engineering and mastering was handled by Alphabet, Berlin, with design assistance from Selina Bernet and Dominik Bissem.