ThreeSix (U:D/R 03)

ThreeSix: A system of six optical/geometric typefaces in eight weights

U:D/R 03

ThreeSix is third in a series of research papers devoted to graphic design and visual culture. Designed and written by Hamish Muir and Paul McNeil – with an introduction by Wim Crouwel – this paper reveals the aesthetic and ideological thinking behind the typeface ThreeSix.

ThreeSix is a system of six optical/geometric typefaces in eight weights. It explores the possibilities of using parametric principles to design geometric fonts which are distinctive at large point sizes but which can also be read at smaller sizes in bodies of extended text.

ThreeSix is a development of work started in 1994, when, as part of an invited submission to the American Center of Design Journal, 8vo designed ‘Interact’, a system of four grid-based lowercase screen fonts which follow a logical progression relating pixel resolution to typesize in fixed increments.

As Wim Crouwel notes: 'Fascination is the key word that comes to mind when I study ThreeSix. It is a fascination for the use of geometric systems in design that has resulted in these remarkable typefaces.'

The designers: 

Hamish Muir was a founding principal of 8vo (1985–2001) and co-editor of Octavo (1986–1992). He works as an independent graphic design consultant specializing in editorial, information and systems design, as well as Lead Tutor Information Design of the BA Graphic and Media Design at the London College of Communication. He is a member of AGI.

Paul McNeil is a London-based independent graphic design consultant specializing in type, information and systems design. He teaches in the postgraduate design area at the London College of Communication as Course Director of the MA Contemporary Typographic Media. He is a member of ISTD.

For more information about MuirMcNeil and to purchase copies of ThreeSix font, go to www.muirmcneil.com.

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285x460mm, folded to 290x190mm
24 pages
Tabloid newsprint with card wrap
ISBN 9-772043-617002
Published: November 2010

Editors: Hamish Muir & Paul McNeil
Design: MuirMcNeil