The concept of making text type interesting to the eye, and in so doing make the reading experience a better one, has been discussed many times. An interesting view is that the punchcutter was well aware of the need for subtle irregularities in the letterforms he cut. It can be suggested that these irregularities break the systematic monotony of the reading experience.

The theory is that character irregularities will, when the type is set, give the text a lively pattern, nothing startling, but with just enough interest to entice the eye. Perhaps, today the irregularities of punchcutting, once lost to industrialization, could be reintroduced in an attempt to reinvigorate the reading experience. This idea was developed through the design of Kingfisher.

A slight irregularity has been added to the letters to make the overall flow of the type seem less rigid. Several of the lowercase letters, for example, incorporate some degree of movement and the illusion of a slight slope has been added to the verticals. All this imparts a very subtle restlessness to the text. As the font design progressed it was tested for text-setting suitability. A model double-page book spread was set up, this was printed using each new trial version of Kingfisher. Seeing the letters perform together as text made it easier to weed out problems. It also made it possible to evaluate the desirable colour of the developing font. Modifications could be made and slowly the letters came together.

Click here for additional information about the Kingfisher typeface.