Industry: Design

Typeface Design for Long-Form Text

Calligraphic origin, digital refinement

Brioni is a low-contrast book typeface designed by Nikola Djurek (Latin), with Cyrillic by Alexander Tarbeev and Greek by Peter Biľak. It originated from broad-nib pen practice and is a hybrid of calligraphic influences and subtle digital manipulation of stroke terminals. Positioned between slab and robust serif classifications, it was designed for continuous reading, with counter-shapes developed in relation to letter exteriors and rhythmic stem intervals intended to support text legibility. Each weight includes eight numeral variants; default numeral style can be selected at licensing.

Set in Brioni

Insights

The design emerged from broad-nib pen practice rather than a predetermined concept, with stroke terminals subsequently described as a hybrid of calligraphic influences and subtle digital manipulation.
Counter-shapes were developed in direct relation to exterior letter forms, with rhythmic stem intervals intended to support legibility in long-form text.
Script responsibilities were divided by specialist: Djurek handled Latin, Tarbeev Cyrillic, Biľak Greek.
When licensing, buyers can select which numeral variant is set as the in-font default; eight numeral styles are included per weight.