Tarnac
Sharp Type · Marc Rouault · 2021
A display Égyptienne by Marc Rouault, drawn from hand-painted 1960s French Michelin road signs, with flat-interior bowls and the off-kilter proportions of vernacular lettering.
About
Tarnac is a contemporary Égyptienne designed by Marc Rouault and distributed by Sharp Type, released in September 2021. Its character comes directly from hand-painted Michelin road signs of 1960s France: flat-interior bowl shapes and slightly irregular proportions that read as an authentic French vernacular quality rather than a revival pastiche. A companion sans-serif, Tarnac Sans, shares the same structural DNA and has appeared in French cultural publications and editorial branding.
Classification
Contemporary Égyptienne drawn by Marc Rouault and distributed by Sharp Type. Inspired by hand-painted Michelin road signs from 1960s France. Characteristic design elements include flat-interior bowl shapes and deliberately irregular proportions that Rouault describes as a French aesthetic signature. The companion Tarnac Sans shares the same structural DNA. Not a Sharp Type in-house design — Rouault designed it independently and Sharp Type acts as distributor.