Futura

By Petra Eisele, Annette Ludwig, and Isabel Naegele

A thoroughly researched and richly illustrated examination of one of the most popular typefaces ever created, Futura.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, the story of Futura is a fascinating one. Charting its Bauhaus origins to its use as the first font on the moon in 1969, this book tells the story of how the typeface went from representing radicalism in design to dependability. Considered durable and timeless, it is a typeface worthy of being rediscovered and celebrated.

Designed by German designer Paul Renner in 1927, Futura became one of the most widely used typefaces the world has ever seen. A sans series that takes its form from simple geometric shapes, Futura — the future — is a truly innovative typeface. Starting from its origins in the New Frankfurt Project, and following is journey further afield to Berlin, Prague, Paris, New York — and even the moon — this book tells the story of how Futura went from representing design radicalism to dependability. 

“Aside from its contents, the book itself is truly a thing of beauty: the pale turquoise hardback cover is set off by luxuriously embossed silvery type that shimmers like mother of pearl, and reflective silver edging. It’s a modern and reverent look for a thoroughly modern and revered typeface.” —Emily Gosling, Creative Bloq

With essays by Steven Heller, Erik Spiekermann and Christopher Burke

Designed by Stephanie Kaplan and Isabel Naegele

Published by Laurence King
First edition, 2017

Hardcover, 520 pages, 500 images, 9 × 7 inches

ISBN: 978-1-78627-093-1