Compatil

Compatil is the name of a large typeface family designed for interchangeable fonts while maintaining identical document metrics.

History

Development of the Compatil typefaces took place from 1999 to 2001 at Linotype Library GmbH. The name was derived from the word "compatible" and represents an intelligent and modular type system.

The projects was led by Bruno Steinert, Managing Director of Linotype GmbH, Bad Homburg. Prof. Olaf Leu and his analysis team at Mainz University of Applied Sciences^[1] drew up an extensive range of requirements that Linotype Library’s team of experts incorporated into their new creation, extending and developing the concept as their work progressed. Silja Bilz and Prof. Reinhard Haus, were responsible for project design and concept. Additional designer include Erik Faulhaber^{[citation needed]}.

In 2004-12-07, Linotype announced Compatil 6.0, which introduced italic fonts for all families.^[2] The italic fonts have 11 degree lean angle.

In 2005, the typeface families of Compatil were extended by true cursive typefaces.

Characteristics

Compatil consisting of 4 families: Compatil Exquisit, Compatil Fact, Compatil Letter, and Compatil Text. Each family has 2 weights with complementary italics.

OpenType features include proportional lining figures, small caps. Each family supports ISO Adobe 2, Adobe CE, Latin Extended characters.

Compatil Exquisit gives the feelings of a poetic and narrative nature and possesses descriptive, distinguished, and classic qualities.

Compatil Fact combines the qualities of being objective and informative and comes across as sober, functional and stable.

Compatil Letter gives the impression of being informative and poetic and is discriminating, balanced yet robust in character.

Compatil Text has a semantic profile that is midway between narrative and objective. Its features are reserved, factual and authoritative.

All of the numerals within the Compatil system have the same width, which means that it is possible to interchange the weight and style without having to alter the letter spacing. Numbers are given more open-ended terminals and individual designs to improve legibility.

The modular system was designed such that for a given character with specific weight and lean, it has the same x-height, character width, gray tone, caps among all families, so that no document reflowing is need. In this aspect, Compatil behaves similar as e.g. the typeface family group of Generis.

Usages

The typeface is used in printing newspapers and financial reports.

It was used in 2002 Business-to-Business Awards.^[3]

References

1. ^ Linotype Font Collections - Compatil
2. ^ Linotype expands portfolio of the Compatil Type System - December 7, 2004: Compatil 6.0 sets a new standard in style
3. ^ Innovative type system for quality communication - July 26, 2002 :"Best of B2B" annual set in Linotype Compatil

External links

• About the Linotype Compatil typeface family
• Compatil Type System
• Reading in mind –Linotype Library presents new font system - July 18, 2001: Compatil opens up entirely new avenues for typography and type application – a whole range of applications from websites to annual reports are covered by a single system.