Zapfino: a new script typeface from Hermann Zapf
Review by Karen Parry
One of the many reasons to attend ATypI conferences is the preview of what each of the type foundries is doing. One of the most exciting releases is the new Linotype Zapfino, reviewed here by Karen Parry. (One was auctioned at the ATypI auction October 8th for $90.)
Zapfino
Long in development and originally conceived as a stand-alone application rather than a typeface, Zapfino is a new script typeface from Hermann Zapf. It was released in 1998 to coincide with Zapf's 80th birthday celebration.
The primary objective of Zapfino was to create a typeface where all the characters in all the variants fit together to make a coherent type with a natural appearance and where not all the letters are exactly the same, mimicking the irregularities inherent in hand lettering. Certainly a difficult and daunting task to undertake. While this would have been a perfect application for OpenType, it was decided to create only PS and TT versions at this time because of the slow implementation of the OpenType standard.
In result we are presented with six variants – Zapfino One, Two, Three and Four, Zapfino Ligatures and Zapfino Ornaments. The face is beatuiful and successful in it's objective. The characters from the sets (One–Four) can be swapped and mixed together to provide alternatives to suit the placement of the letter in the text, for instance a letterform that would more suit placement at the ending (or beginning or middle) of a word. You can also add a tail from the ligatures set to a character to extend it or give even more variety.
Included on the Zapfino CD with the digital fonts (MAC and PC), are some goodies to enhance the overall experience of working with Zapfino. There is a presentation (and printable PDFs) covering Hermann Zapf's life, the history of Zapfino, and tips on how to typeset with the fonts. Also, some QT movies created by Martina Roemer and Andrea Elbel of FHTW, Berlin, which were shown during the 80th birthday celebrations.
Probably, the most enjoyable "extra" on the CD is a wonderful 1967 film that Hermann Zapf made for Hallmark Cards to accompany his handwritten instruction manuals. Listen to and watch the master himself while he instructs the Hallmark calligraphers in the art of good writing.
The CD is available from Linotype Library (www.linotype.com) and Type Associates, N.Y. and costs DM248.
Karen Parry
