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InspirationGraphic Design

BLK LTR Series: Typographic experiment with Type Travel – Century 12 to 21

Whilst contemplating a blackletter typeface for a recent project, Mark Richardson of London studio Superfried had forgotten how illegible the uppercase characters tend to be. This led to the idea of a personal project developing new, experimental, yet completely legible characters based on the signature blackletter forms.

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Bold black experimental letterform with flowing curved lines and layered stripes suggesting depth, part of Superfried's BLK LTR Series typographic project

Rather than approaching the project like a typeface, each character has been developed in isolation as a one-off. Mark explained: "This eradicated any potential constraints allowing the distinct blackletter characteristics to lead as the shapes were combined to develop each specific glyph. Once each letterform was complete, experimental paths were employed to suggest depth, flow and optical ambiguity."

Based in London, Mark of Superfried designs and develops graphic based solutions for screen and print. The diverse work reflects the clients, who vary in sector and scale from start-up to multinational. Since 2007 Superfried has worked closely with its clients to create bespoke solutions for a wide range of projects, with an emphasis on brand identity, experimental typography and illustration.

A passion for type has inevitably led to the development of his very own typefaces. To date Superfried has released 15 families featuring 29 fonts. They are available through Hype for Type, MyFonts and You Work for Them.

Monochrome poster displaying an experimental blackletter letter form with concentric lines creating depth, hung with binder clips, featuring BLK LTR Series typography by Superfried
Experimental blackletter typography poster featuring a bold angular letter form with diagonal line hatching, held by two binder clips against a light grey background
Grey poster with bold black striped letter R design suspended by binder clips, featuring experimental blackletter typography text on the left side
Poster featuring an experimental blackletter letterform "B" with flowing lines and striped texture, held by two black binder clips against a light grey background, with vertical text on the left side and [B] marker at bottom
Experimental blackletter letterforms by Superfried featuring stylised characters with linear striations creating depth and optical flow against a light grey background, displayed as a printed poster clipped to a board
Large stylised letter N with parallel lines creating depth, suspended by binder clips, featuring text describing the BLK LTR Series typographic project
A large black letter Q with vertical striped detailing suspended between two binder clips on a grey poster, featuring typography text and event dates on the right margin
Large black capital letter R with parallel lined texture hung on a grey poster board with typography details and event information for the BLK LTR Series by Superfried
Experimental blackletter letterform S with concentric curved lines creating depth, displayed on a poster clipped with black binder clips
Typographic grid displaying the letters B, L, K, L, T, R above a horizontal line, with S, E, R, I, E, S below, forming the title BLK LTR SERIES in bold black capitals on white background
Experimental blackletter typographic poster by Superfried featuring two large stylised X characters with striped fill and a diagonal line crossing through them against a light grey background
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