When I started working on Univia Pro, the goal was simple: to design a typeface with a futuristic and contemporary look while maintaining the legibility found in humanist sans serifs. I often noticed that avant-garde typefaces sacrificed readability for style. With Univia Pro, I wanted to avoid that pitfall by finding a balance between modern design and functional clarity. Univia Pro’s geometric foundation primarily relies on superelliptical shapes, instantly giving it a contemporary touch. But to avoid an overly rigid feel, I softened these forms with curves and rounded angles, creating a smooth and readable appearance. I also made the choice to remove spurs, simplifying the letterforms while retaining a clean, minimalist look. The rounded terminals further enhance this, giving the typeface a subtle visual harmony.
A key aspect of Univia Pro is its focus on numbers. For tech companies, which often deal with data and numerical tables, numbers are crucial in their communication. Whether in financial reports, dashboards, or presentations, numbers play a central role. I wanted Univia Pro’s numerals to be especially well-crafted while maintaining a futuristic spirit. I designed a complete set of numerals, including tabular and proportional versions, as well as both lining and old-style figures, to meet the specific needs of contexts where numbers are omnipresent and must remain perfectly legible, regardless of the medium.
Regarding overall readability, several aspects were considered to maximize clarity, particularly at small sizes or on screens. The x-height is relatively large, making reading easier even in constrained environments. The counters remain open, ensuring smooth readability across various contexts, both digital and print. The double-storey lowercase ‘a,’ the ‘g’ with its slightly curved tail, and the uppercase ‘Q’ with its inclined tail are elements that blend style with function.
With 18 styles in total, Univia Pro offers a full range of weights. Each weight has been carefully adjusted to maintain visual consistency, whether used on its own or in combination. The goal is to ensure harmony across all applications, from modern digital interfaces to more complex print compositions.
On the technical side, I’ve included standard and discretionary ligatures, fractions, and alternatives for symbols like @ and #, allowing for more customization. These features complete the flexibility that Univia Pro offers to designers.
Discover the full range of Univia Pro’s features, from its advanced OpenType capabilities to its extensive language coverage, by exploring our detailed technical documentation here.
