Named for the classical mathematician, Thomas Phinney's Hypatia Sans is a geometric sans serif with humanist undertones. Hypatia echoes the basic form of geometric designs from the 1920s and 30s, and includes functions originated from classical oldstyle typefaces and inscriptional lettering that provide the design a balance between cold geometry and warm natural form. The letters are expressive at larger sizes, and are still clear and understandable at text sizes in short paragraphs. A large range of weights increases the household's adaptability, and its many alternate glyphs and layout features offer a combination of meaningful options.
Robert Slimbach helped guide and refine the family throughout the project. Thomas Phinney completed the upright faces and much of the Italics, however was unable to complete them, so Paul Hunt actioned in to complete the project.
Phinney benefited from stylistic sets, which enable a user to alter the look of glyphs that belong. Although Hypatia Sans has no fewer than 14 stylistic sets, there are two that Phinney anticipates to see utilized most. Stylistic Set # 1 removes the vestigial serifs and makes Hypatia Sans a real sans-serif, while Stylistic Set # 2 substitutes more geometric alternate types of specific letters (a, g, t, y), and of the ampersand (&&). The most unusual set is the unicase small caps (Stylistic Set # 13).
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