UN-11
The Univers variant IBM made Frutiger design for a golf ball
UN-11 is a digitization of the IBM Selectric adaptation of Univers, originally commissioned from Adrian Frutiger in 1961. IBM needed a version of Univers modified for the Selectric typewriter's golf-ball mechanism, resulting in unit-based spacing that produced an uneven rhythm distinct from conventional monospaced type. Designed by Laurenz Brunner and released by Source Type in 2024, the revival is tuned for contemporary print and screen use.
Insights
- The original adaptation required unit-based spacing to suit the Selectric's physical constraints, differentiating it from both proportional Univers and standard monospaced type.
- The source characterizes the uneven rhythm as combining mechanical precision with a human touch, a quality attributed to Frutiger's view of the design.
- UN-11 represents a cut of Univers not previously available with this specific flair digitally, despite Univers having been adapted for letterpress, phototype, and PostScript.
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