About the author
Visual & Motion Designer at Fontfabric Type Foundry
read moreStep into the realm of Auge, a distinct serif font that intertwines the intricacies of nature with the polish of contemporary design. Born from the vision of Nikolay Petroussenko and refined under the guidance of our type directors Plamen Motev and Viktoria Usmanova, Auge is a celebration of the small wonders that surround us daily.
You know how sometimes you come across a font and think, “This feels familiar yet fresh”? That’s what we were aiming for with Auge. And we’ve got a neat little story about how it all came together.
Now, I’m sure you’ve heard us talk about our various projects here at Fontfabric. Every typeface we craft is a narrative in itself. With creations like Muller Next, Gismo, Grima, Petrov Sans, Salina and Calleo, we’ve ventured into new territories. Today, we unfold the story of Auge—a font that echoes nature’s whispers while speaking the language of modern design.
Auge’s Inspiration
Ever stumbled upon a word in another language that just sticks? For us, that was ‘Auge’ – it means “eye” in German. It resonates with the philosophy we had for this font: an homage to the unnoticed beauty around us. Just like an eye focuses on details, Auge draws attention with its clear-cut design and precise serifs. Born from observing the intricate world of insects (yes, you read that right!), it’s our way of honoring these small wonders and their vital role in our world.
Auge thrives on balance. With eight weights and matching italics, designers find in Auge a companion that’s versatile and adaptable.
The keen edges, wedged serifs, and subtle contrasts showcase a blend of classical and modern vibes, making it fit effortlessly into diverse projects.Auge is like that trusty sweater in your wardrobe. Whether you’re jazzing up a poster or a classic print for an office presentation, Auge has your back.
Let’s dive a bit deeper
For those who geek out over design details like we do, you’ll find some pretty neat OpenType features in Auge. But even if you’re not into the techy side of things, think of these features as the secret ingredients that make your designs pop.
Create with Auge
Auge encompasses support for over 130 languages. Additionally, its comprehensive character set, catering to all Latin-based languages and including Cyrillic, guarantees Auge’s appeal to a worldwide audience. And, naturally, all of this is presented in a variable font format.
The Maestros behind Auge
This mesmerizing typeface, first visualized by Nikolay Petroussenko in 2017, underwent a journey of metamorphosis from egg, larva, pupa and finally an adult. With Plamen Motev’s innovative direction and Viktoria Usmanova’s finesse, Auge evolved from an idea to a font that speaks volumes.
Interview with the Authors.
Can you introduce yourself?
Nikolay: “My name is Nikolay Petroussenko and I am a freelancing type and multidisciplinary graphic designer, who had the privilege to be part of Fontfabric Type Foundry for the last 6 years.”
Plamen: “I am Plamen – Creative and Operational Director at Fontfabric. I help the good ideas visualize into functional and sometimes quite crazy typefaces.”
What inspired you to create Auge, and how did you come up with the idea for its uniqueness?
Nikolay: “I aimed for a unique aesthetical design, yet still functional as a typeface so that can be used flawlessly for various purposes. Auge inherits the balanced classical proportions but it tops them up with contemporary refined appearance. Its simultaneosly sturdy and elegant characteristics is widely inspided by the intricate anatomy of the insects.”
Plamen: “The idea for Auge’s uniqueness came from wanting to infuse classical proportions with a refined contemporary appearance. I aimed to create a font that would embody both sturdy elegance and expressive modernity.“
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the font creation process?
Nikolay:
“- Achieving the right design direction with a handwritten origin that speaks in a contemporary way; expressive, and yet not broken;
– Well-balanced between temperamental aesthetics and neutral functionality;
– Finding the acceptable extremes in the broad design space with such a contrast;
– Keeping everything consistent across all the glyphs.
– Tuning up on mode for the project after long pauses with dozens of other tasks.”
Plamen: “Achieving the right design direction for Auge posed a challenge, especially in terms of expressiveness while retaining contemporary appeal. Consistency and harmony across the vast design space were vital objectives.”
How do you envision Auge being used by designers in the creative industry?
Nikolay: “Auge is suitable for editorial, branding, posters, interior and exterior design, fashion and all kind of experimental designs across different media.”
Plamen: “I strongly recommend typesetting Auge in Posters and Editorial design as a headline font. The variable font is a perfect tool to be used in eye-catching landing pages.”
Did other fonts inspire you in the design process of Auge?
Nikolay: “Though not directly, I got inspired by the feeling of Quarto, Koor Super, Noe Display, Zangezi, Albertus, and even some CJK Ming style typefaces.”
Plamen: “I believe that every design process should start with research and has to be initated by clear vision and stimulated by strong inspiration. I was fascinated with the idea of constructing an intricate yet, well balanced wedge-shaped serif. While we were shaping the idea I studied typefaces like Flecha by Rui Abreu, Blacker by Zeta Fonts and Noe Display by Schick Toikka.“
Who is Auge meant for? What would you say is the key problem Auge solves for designers out there?
Nikolay: “Auge brings individuality into the design, making it outstanding and self-aware, both beautiful and working out well.”
Plamen: “Auge serves as the perfect tool for designers who’ve always craved a mighty font companion – a typeface capable of effortlessly capturing attention and conveying impactful messages with its resolute aesthetics.”
What would be the best implication for Auge in terms of usability?
Nikolay: “Auge works best in big to moderate sizes due to its high contrast. It may be used for a few short paragraphs but a novel might be too much for the eyes.”
Plamen: “Auge shines best in medium to large sizes. When set in a design piece Auge immediately becomes the main character of the composition.”
If Auge was a person, what qualities would it possess?
Nikolay: “Auge would be a dignified person, dashingly confident with an elegant and splendid appearance, whose mind is sharp and fast. Both mature and cutting-edge.”
Plamen: “Auge’s like a wing-person for designers chasing that classy-meets-modern sweet spot. It’s like the cool friend that makes your designs look both snazzy and super smart. It’d be the brainiac with a knack for innovation, rocking both timeless class and futuristic flair.”
Your Canvas Awaits
Our team’s always on pins and needles, waiting to see the magic you’ll weave with our fonts. Auge, with its charm and versatility, is your canvas. From website headers to coffee shop menus, the sky’s the limit. Remember, it’s not just about the font, but the stories you tell with it.
Let Auge Be Your Muse
A Closing Thought
At Fontfabric, our journey in typography is woven with stories, inspirations, and a relentless passion for design. As we mold typefaces like Auge, our hope is to share with you the rich tapestry of tales that birth them. Auge is an emotion, a story, a revelation.
