Switch OTF Typography to an open source one

New Ideas and Discussions idea
1

Hi there!

Elio here from Ura Design, part of the Usability Lab.

I noticed that OTF is using Gotham as it’s primary font for headings. Due to its nature, I’d suspect it might be more appropriate for OTF to use an open source typeface licensed under an Apache or SIL open font license instead of a proprietary typeface like Gotham.

In fact, there is probably a good alternative without changing the looks of the website presence. The typeface Montserrat is visually quite similar to Gotham and is popular among open source projects without being overused like Open Sans (The Fedora Project uses Montserrat as well).

This is an example comparing the OPEN TECHNOLOGY FUND wordmark in both typefaces:

OTF%20Typography
OTF Typography.jpg1066×542 118 KB

You can find Montserrat here for a closer look:

While this might be a very minor thing at the first sight, I’d think that it’s a low hanging fruit which would align OTF’s visuals with its values it stands for.

I’d love to get your feedback on this!

2 Likes
2

Hi!

Since I posted this, OTF has switched over to Proxima Nova, which is still a proprietary font. Would there be any space to have this conversation? I realize it might look like something too small to deal with right now but I still am convinced that OTF’s visual identity should be as open as its name.

Some references to open alternatives to Gotham and Proxima Nova as suggested:

3

Agreed. Added a ticket here https://github.com/OpenTechFund/opentech.fund/issues/924. Thanks for raising it and doing the quick analysis <3

2 Likes