Custom Typeface for Dictionary.com
Six static styles collapsed into one variable font under 75 KB
TypeMates created a custom variable font family called Dictionary for Dictionary.com's rebranded websites, with branding direction led by San Francisco agency Tolleson. Cera Pro's characteristics aligned with the client's aesthetic goals, but the custom family required additional phonetic characters and combining diacritics not present in Cera, while some existing letterforms were omitted to reduce file size. Ascenders and descenders were cut to reference the diagonal geometry of the opened-D and opened-T in the Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com logos. Lexicographer Helen Langone co-directed the extended character set to cover languages and transliterations. The typeface is slightly condensed to suit narrow mobile layouts.
Set in Dictionary
Insights
- Delivering six styles as a variable font reduced file size from over 200 KB to under 75 KB, requiring only a single font request.
- Ascenders and descenders were trimmed to visually reference the diagonal geometry of the Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com logo letterforms.
- A single-story 'a' and a redesigned Greek α were introduced to give the typeface a proprietary character.
- The letterforms are slightly condensed to fit interface and text in narrow mobile layouts.
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