In a collaboration between Prototypo and Production Type, Google Fonts is getting more interactive and customizable.
Updating its database of font collection, Google is having its first 'parametric' font, This type of font uses a typography technology which enables it to be tweaked and modified to virtually any typeface.
It is called Spectral, and it is opening up a new era of type design which allows it to be responsive. This essentially improves the font capabilities to be customized creatively with designers being able to explore new shapes to make unique fonts that haven't been created before.
Among other things, Spectral gives designers the ability to adjust various font aspects like width, thickness and curviness. It is available in seven weights of roman and italic, and also has glyphs.
"Opening up to a new era of type design, [our] parametric font technology allows to work with responsive characters improving creativity and exploring new shapes," said Prototypo in a press release. "Creating intelligent fonts capable of fitting all types of uses and media is now a reality."
Spectral is currently available for free on Google Fonts. Prototypo has also developed a dedicated website specifically for users that want to try out the ‘parametric’ feature of the font.
The font is released under an SIL Open Font License. To embed it into a webpage, websites can add the code in the head of their HTML document, or download the font for free from Google's font repository. The font is already available in GSuite, Google’s productivity suite.
Spectral can be a good choice for a wide array of projects. And because it's neutral, the font may work as part of plenty of font combination.
However, Spectral was created for long, distraction free reads. Therefore, the font as simple as possible. For this particular reason, the font is suited better for the web, and isn't a good choice for printing. For large printed documents, for example, the font isn't as efficient as specialized fonts.
But still, the font managed to look distinct from similar serifs. And while it's intended to be a functional font, it retains its elegant character. Spectral can be a great choice for those that want to add some personality to documents, but without overdoing it.