Studio: Lineto

Typeface Design for Superstudio

Revival of one of the IBM Selectric's least-known typefaces

Superstudio is a digital revival of 12 Dual Gothic, a monospace sans serif developed for IBM's Selectric golf-ball typewriter line and among its less successful type offerings. Designed by Jonathan Hares and released by Lineto in 2003, it was originally created for signage at the Design Museum London exhibition 'Super Studio: Life without Objects.' Font engineering and mastering was handled by Alphabet, Berlin. Additional samples were consulted for a 2003 publication version, and a later redrawing round added light and bold weights.

Set in Superstudio

Insights

The initial digital adaptation relied on a single physical sample of 12 Dual Gothic; additional samples were consulted only when adapting the typeface for publication later in 2003.
Light and bold weights were added in a subsequent redrawing round, expanding the family beyond its original single-weight form.