Arcane - 2022
Regular
Arcane is a display typeface that has been created by cutting away parts of the standard font Helvetica using the Knife tool in Adobe Illustrator. The font aims to subvert the standardization of design and norms that is embodied in a classic sans serif like Helvetica and creates a combination of organic and sharp letterforms.
The foundations of the typeface come from an experiment in subverting the conventional sans serif typeface Helvetica and regular usage of digital tools like Adobe Illustrator by using the knife tool to cut away parts of the font body to create a new typeface. This new typeface captures the organic curves and points that result from using the Knife tool with vector forms.
The cutting of forms enhances the open and closed negative spaces within and around the letterforms such that the edge is more activated because of the undulating surface and boundary between the font body and surrounding negative space. More negative space is introduced from the cutting that blends in with the existing negative space from the original Helvetica font.
The strong presence of the display font suits itself to bold titles and slogans for rebellious and protest-like designs that aim to catch attention and subvert conventions in the form of posters, and even logotypes.
