#3 Coco Sharp by Zetafonts
Q1: Where did the idea for the typeface come from? Did you set out to address a specific use or suite of the application? Was this a design you’d had in mind for a while?
Ans: Coco Sharp is the latest evolution of my Coco series of typefaces, inspired by vernacular grotesques, modernism and the chic aesthetic of fashion-icon Coco Chanel. I designed Coco on a classic geometric sans skeleton, but applied humanist proportions and visual corrections to key letters. My intention was to create a texture that feels timeless and, at the same time, is rooted in history of both the printed page the digital screen. Coco Sharp drops the rounded corners of previous incarnations (Coco Gothic and Cocogoose) to create a sharper definition for display and text use.
Q2: What is the one or two most important things graphic communicators should know about the typeface, or how will the family of fonts help them create better design?
Ans: The main distinction of Coco Sharp is the wide choice of x-heights available, provided as variable versions, in addition to five graded sub-families. This enables designers to have fine control over text appearance and spacing. The Large and Xlarge versions have big, and easily readable, lowercase letters that are perfect for setting type at small sizes. The Small and Xsmall designs are optimized for display use, or for adding a unique flare to body copy. The Regular x-height offers a “one size fits all” solution that works both for text and for display usage.