National
Klim Type Foundry · Kris Sowersby · 2007
A workmanlike grotesque rooted in 19th-century English and American type, drawn as a deliberate counterpoint to Helvetica with looser spacing, unambiguous forms and a true italic.
About
Released in 2007 and a TDC Judge's Choice winner the following year, National draws its character from the pre-Akzidenz grotesque tradition – giving it a quieter, more considered presence than mid-century Swiss grotesques. Old-style figures ship as default, spacing is loose enough for comfortable text reading, and the italic is properly drawn rather than slanted. Nine weights with matching italics make it as useful in editorial hierarchies as it is in body text.
Classification
Revival of 19th-century English and American grotesques, drawn as a stylistic counterpoint to Helvetica. Features looser spacing, unambiguous forms, old-style figures as default, angled Akzidenz-era terminals, and a true italic rather than an oblique. Single width, 18 styles across 9 weights.