Mercedes Padro Marty Lane, Dan Padavic Typography I November 5, 2013 Utopia STD With a characteristically large stroke

contrast, Utopia STD is considered a highly readable typeface. 1 Utopia was designed by Robert Slimbach in 1989 and is categorized as a Transitional typeface. 2 This time period is significant due to developments in digital media, which made type design technology more expansive and user friendly.3 In the spirit of these times, Slimbach concentrated on digital design in regards to typefaces and was particularly inspired by classical typefaces.4 In 1987, Robert Slimbach joined Adobe Systems 5, and by 1989, Slimbach designed Utopia STD as an Adobe Originals typeface.6 Four years prior to these achievements, Slimbach worked on type in the type drawing department of Autologic in Newbury Park, California. 7 In 1991, Slimbach received the Prix Charles Peignot from Association Typographique Internationale for excellence in type design. 8 Presently, Slimbach holds the esteemed role as the director of Adobes type design program. 9 Slimbach also designed Adobe Jenson, Kepler, and Minion. 10 Given Utopia STDs high readability, this typeface also has a considerably good range of uses for a variety of functions. Utopia can be used in books, newspapers, and advertisements. What I find interesting about Utopia is that it has calligraphic, or Old Style elements, as well as modern elements. Futhermore, Utopia has a pronounced thick and thin contrast that aptly balances between Old Style and Modern stroke weights. His [Roberts] typefaces are almost unfailingly humanistic, but usually lost underneath the virtuosity of his design is a foundation of technical precision and ambition, and a concern for practical and lasting usability. 11
1

Ambrose, Gavin, and Paul Harris. The Visual Dictionary of Typography. Lausanne, Switzerland: AVA Publishing, 2010. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed November 5, 2013), 279. 2 Ambrose, Gavin, and Paul Harris. The Visual Dictionary of Typography. Lausanne, Switzerland: AVA Publishing, 2010. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed November 5, 2013), 279. 3 Hill, William. The Complete Typographer a Manual for Designing with Type, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005, 21. 4 Robert Slimbach, http://www.adobe.com/products/type/font-designers/robert-slimbach.html. 5 Ibid. 6 Utopia STD, http://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLSUS&event=displayFontPackage&code=1414. 7 Robert Slimbach, http://www.adobe.com/products/type/font-designers/robert-slimbach.html. 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid. 10 Ibid. 11 Robert Slimbachs 25 Years of Type at Adobe, http://blogs.adobe.com/typblography/2012/03/robertslimbach-25-years.html.

Bibliography Ambrose, Gavin, and Paul Harris. The Visual Dictionary of Typography. Lausanne, Switzerland: AVA Publishing, 2010. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed November 5, 2013). Hill, William. The Complete Typographer a Manual for Designing with Type, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005, 21. Robert Slimbach, http://www.adobe.com/products/type/font-designers/robertslimbach.html. Robert Slimbachs 25 Years of Type at Adobe, http://blogs.adobe.com/typblography/2012/03/robert-slimbach-25-years.html. Utopia STD, http://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLSUS&event=displayFontPackage&code=1414.