The Sst Font family, a collaboration between Monotype and Sony Design, aims to unify Sony’s brand identity across its diverse products and global markets. This innovative typeface seamlessly blends geometric and humanist design principles, resulting in a sharp, elegant, and timeless aesthetic applicable to various scripts, including Latin, Asian, and Arabic.
The Design and Development of SST Font
SST font represents a groundbreaking achievement in typography. It’s the first typeface to successfully apply geometric design principles to calligraphy-based scripts like Asian and Arabic. This unique approach creates a cohesive visual language for Sony, ensuring consistent brand recognition across different languages and platforms. The design process, led by Monotype’s Akira Kobayashi and Sony Creative Center’s Hiroshige Fukuhara, involved a meticulous fusion of geometric and humanist styles. The result is a typeface characterized by uniform line widths and subtle optical adjustments that enhance readability without compromising its sharp, modern appearance.
This innovative blend allows SST font to function effectively across a wide range of applications, from product packaging and marketing materials to digital interfaces and user interfaces. The font’s legibility at various sizes further contributes to its versatility. Supporting 93 languages, SST font truly embodies the concept of a universal typeface.
Recognition and Exhibition
The innovative design of the SST font earned Monotype and Sony an iF Design Award in 2016. This prestigious award acknowledges excellence in design and innovation. To further celebrate the creation of SST font, a dedicated exhibition was held at the G . F Smith Show Space in Soho, London. This exhibition showcased the intricate design process, from initial concept to final implementation, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail involved in crafting each glyph.
Visitors could explore the various stages of development and gain a deeper understanding of the rationale behind the design choices. The exhibition emphasized the font’s ability to bring harmony and personality to Sony’s communication across diverse cultural contexts. The use of G . F Smith’s papers in the exhibition further enhanced the visual presentation of the typeface.
SST Font: A Timeless Typeface for a Global Brand
The SST font serves as a powerful example of how thoughtful typeface design can contribute to a unified and recognizable brand identity. Its universal design, multilingual support, and timeless aesthetic make it a valuable asset for Sony. By seamlessly integrating geometric and humanist elements, SST font achieves a balance between modernity and readability, ensuring its effectiveness across various applications and cultural contexts.
The successful collaboration between Monotype and Sony Design resulted in a typeface that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. SST font is a testament to the power of design in creating a cohesive and enduring brand experience. By prioritizing both aesthetics and functionality, SST font stands as a benchmark in contemporary typeface design.
