Linotype’s Compatil Type System

7/23/2019 Linotypes Compatil Type System

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The source of the originals


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The idea to develop a new typeface tailored to the

special requirements of annual reports was born

out of the First Heidelberg Forum for Annual

Reports 1998.

The challenge was to provide a type system that de-livered readability and multiple tonality while main-

taining harmony throughout the wide range of

different characters required in an annual report.

Linotype worked closely together with Professor

Olaf Leu and his AnalyseTeam at the University of

Applied Sciences, Mainz, who have been commis-

sioned by Manager Magazin to judge

its annual competition Best Annual Reports

since 1996. Reviewing work from 130 companies

represented on six different stock markets, they madea number of observations over the years and raised

several questions, particularly in regard to the

legibility of the average annual report.

Modelling an annual report in a certain language and

tonality essentially involves having a type system that

can handle all eventualities. It must have multiple

weights for emphasis as well as different styles for

tone of voice and expression. It must have small caps

to deal with the many acronyms, initials and upper-

case characters required for product and company

names, as well as the many styles of numbers that

appear within the text. Most importantly it must

have a structure that allows for the easy manipulation

of figures.

Development work on the Compatiltype system took

almost two years. It was a unique project requiring

the perfect marriage of four different styles in multiple

weights into a type system suitable for variable use.

The original idea was to implement the four different

type styles for different applications in the field offinancial communications. However, as this brochure

demonstrates, Compatil has a much wider range of

applications than that.

The Compatil type system combines aesthetics with

the ability to function on all aspects of communication

across the whole media range.


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Linotypes Compatilis the first type system that

incorporates such a comprehensive range of

typographic features, delivering optimal legibility

and design potential.

Theneed to read and absorb information quickly

and easily has never been greater.

The amount of information available to us, either

on paper or on screen, grows daily. It is essential

to have a typeface that is both extremely legibleas well as aesthetically pleasing.

The metric and visual concept that is used for Compatil

allows type styles to be mixedand interchanged

seemlessly due to identical letterspacing within

individual heights. This universal type system can be

employed for virtually all aspects of corporate com-

munication from websites to annual reports as well

as for mass composition for books, magazines and

newspapers.

The Compatil type system is a model of technical

innovationoffering a new level of design quality.

The system is comprised of four different type styles:

Compatil Exquisit, Compatil Fact, Compatil Letter

and Compatil Text.

By maintaining a consistent letter width throughout

each of the four type styles, this system allows the

same character from each of the styles to be inter-

changed with one another, without having any effect

on the width of the text.

Having equal proportionsand identical gray tonesinside each of the styles and weights allows all of the

systemss typefaces to be comfortably combined with

one another and gives one the widest range of aesthetic

combinations possible.

AaBb123

AaBb123

AaBb123

AaBb123

Compatil Exquisit

Compatil Fact

Compatil Letter

Compatil Text

2 | 3 Introduction


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All elements of the typeface the aesthetics, legibility

and the digital font technology have been combined

into a singular type system, where each component is

compatible with all the others.

Combining multiple types into a modular system is

unconventional, but it is the result of a complex and

pioneering concept signalling a new direction in type

design for modern communications. It is based on the

principal that not only must each individual character

be of the highest quality, but all elements must also

comprehensively combine within a standardised type

system. The Compatil type system allows type to be

Compatil

Compatil

Compatil

Compatil

All numerals have the same width

in every style and weight.

(456)

(456)

(456)

(456)

(456)

(456)

( 456)

( 456)

(456)

(456)

(456)

( 456)

(456)

(456)

(456 )

(456)

adapted to fit any design need and adjusted to any

specific content. All shades of emphasisare possible,

from delicate and slender to bold and eye catching.

At the same time identical letterspacingand width

of character make setting text technically simple while

creating a consistent grey tone that is easy on the eye.

[123$][123$]

[123$][123$]

[123$][123$]

[123$][123$]

[123$][123$][123$][123$]

[123$][123$]

[123$][123$]


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4 | 5 Concept

Compatil Exquisit

The development of this new type system was handled by a team of experts from Linotype.

Professor Reinard Haus led the design aspects together with Silja Bilz andErik Faulhaber.

At all times, there was close collaboration between type designers and type programmers.

Compatil Letter

The development of this new type system was handled by a team of experts from Linotype.Professor Reinard Haus led the design aspects together withSilja Bilz andErik Faulhaber.


Compatil Fact


Professor Reinard Haus led the design aspects together withSilja Bilzand Erik Faulhaber.


Compatil Text


Professor Reinard Haus led the design aspects together with Silja Bilz andErik Faulhaber.



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poetic / narrative

objective / informative

informative / poetic

narrative / objective

The Compatil type system was created to allow different

tones of text to be expressed and emphasised through

compatible type styles. These expressive and emotional

characteristics cover all possible applications and are

fundamental for effective typography.

Compatil Exquisitgives the feelings of apoeticand

narrativenature and possesses discriptive, distinguished

and classic qualities.

Compatil Factcombines the qualities of being objective

and informativeand comes across as sober, functional

and stable.

Compatil Letter gives the impression of being

informativeandpoeticand is discriminating, balancedyet robust in character.

C Thas a semantic profile that is midway

betweennarrativeand objective. Its features are

reserved, factual and authoritative.

Compatil combines simple yet effective design with

a highly innovative type system. The ability to easily

set text with different but compatible styles opens up

unlimited horizons for typographic creativity.

Compatil Letter

Compatil Fact

Compatil Text

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Compatil Exquisit


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All of the numerals within the Compatil system have the

same width, which means that for the first time it is

possible to interchange the weight and style without

having to alter the letterspacing.

Financial communication is at the heart of corporate

communication. Numbers in the form of tables and

columns, or integrated within text blocks represent a

considerable challenge for typographers.

Small caps numerals are important in financial reportsbecause of the frequent occurence of company names

and dates and figures, which is why Compatil has small

caps numerals with matching currency symbols.

The key feature of this innovative new type system is

the ease with which the small caps numerals can be

exchanged with the capital numerals. This presents

new opportunities for typographic emphasis in text.

When setting financial accounts, a designer must

present numbers and text with the greatest possible

clarity. It is also important that the numbers can be

read quickly without error (figure on the right), yet

are not too visually dominant.

When designing Compatil particular importance was

attached to developing the openness of the forms,

especially with critical numerals like zero and six,

three and eight.

Compatil is designed

to create the maximum

difference betweennumerals that have a

similar structure, this

increases the legibility

of financial documents.

OXax (1,234.5$)

OXax (1,234.5$)

Helvetica

Compatil Fact

6060

3838

Perfect combination of

function and elegance:

a direct comparison

of uppercase (normal)

numerals and small

caps numerals shows

that all the design

features are retained inthe smaller characters.

6 | 7 Concept


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the averageannual report is about pages long. This

means that reading has to be as pleasant as possible and

without unnecessary distractions.

An annual report is unique when it comes to the number

of different characters used in texts. Acronyms and

initials as well as uppercase characters for product and

company names which look particularly unattractive

when set within body texts where no small cap styles

are available. There are usually many numbers encoun-

tered in the body text which are also of cap height. All

this together with brackets, slashes and percentage

symbols can create a disharmony that is extremely off-

putting to the reader.

Before Compatil was available, designers would spend

a considerable amount of time attempting to bring to-

gether workable combinations of typefaces to cover all

of these requirements. Now the advantages of theCompatil system, with its clear and harmonious forms,

are immediately apparent, as can be seen in this com-

parison with other well-known typefaces with their

different stroke thickness, x-heights and width.

Compatil presents a whole new range of possibilities

by giving designers the opportunity to combine four

different type styles with ease.

Modelled on the

classic Venetian

style, its precise

yet welcoming.

Compatil Exquisit

A sans serif

in the style of

American Gothic

that is concise

and functional.

Compatil Fact

An old style

face between

transitionals and

modern face

producing texts

with a cool and

factual elegance.

Compatil Text

MIX AND MATCH BENEFITS

Same x-height in all styles.

Same character width in one weight

across all styles.

Same gray tone in all styles.

Small caps available in all weights.

No reflow when changing styles.

A slab serif

that is both

concise and

stable.

Compatil Letter


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Futura

ITC New Baskerville Linotype Centennial RotisSerif

Serifa ITC Lubalin Graph Thesis Serif

8 | 9 Reading Balance

ITC Garamond

Sabon

Corporate A

News Gothic ITC Officina Sans


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The variety of Compatil

provides options in the

setting of accounts that

create the appearance of

perfect harmony while

remaining functional

and informative.

The numeral forms

makecolumns of

numbers easy to read

and distinguishable.

The Compatil type system is versatile and can be used invarious applications to create typographically uniquelayouts depending on the way the styles are combined.

Financial Communication perfect appearance

aesthetics with a level of functionality that addresses

a whole range of media. It is economic in its space

requirements, is very easy to read because of its large

x-height and consequently, is also ideal for narrow-

column typesetting.

Typefaces are usually designed for one specific media

or function in mind, be it for books, headings, on-screen

reading, newspapers or other purposes. The Compatil

type system covers a much broader spectrum. It takes

into account all aspects of communication, combining


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Compatil Letter has a very

open form making it especially

suitable for use with the un-

coated papers typically used for

office documents.

This maintains the integrity of

the individual characters by

reducing the risk of in-fill and

blurred outlines that occur with

standard office printers.

Compatil Fact Regular, 7,5 pt

Compatil Fact Bold, 20 pt

Compatil Letter Regular, 10 pt / 16,5 pt

Compatil Fact Regular, 7 pt / 12 pt

10 | 11 Applications

Office Communication precise and structured


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The 4different styles

within the type system

can all be mixed and

interchanged, giving

a range of options that

stimulates creativity

and provides a wide

variety for typographic

expression.

Compatil Exquisit Regular, 10 pt / 14 pt

Compatil Fact Regular, 8 pt

Compatil Fact Bold, 10 pt / 14 pt

Compatil Fact Regular, 8,5 pt / 14 pt

Compatil Text Regular, 42 pt / 45 pt

Compatil Fact Regular, 16,5 pt / 24 pt

Magazine design creative typography


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The compatil ag has the potential, the innovative business concept, the

competence and the motivation to take a position as a strongly growing

company in worldwide target markets. It represents a company which gives

special emphasis to the shareholder value and strives for a successful

partnership with satisfied customers as well as qualified and motivated

employees. The compatil ag is still a growing company with reasonable

financing and a high equity ratio and the management hangs on to its

development perspectives. The compatil ag is looking back to an overall

difficult, but in some areas very successful and pioneer business year. The

year 2001 was especially characterized by the letters in the semiconductor

market and the reorganization of the management team. Still we were able

to maintain our market position better than many competitors and thanks

to the great confidence of our shareholders, customers, business partners

and employees we survived the past year well and in a financially sound

way. The development of new markets is also promoted. After the succes-

sful implementation of projects like for example in the field of different

typefaces in the previous year, we strive for a two-digit growth in Inno -

vation Technologies in 2002. We would like to extend our product range

and push strategic partnerships in order to be able to profit dispropor-

tionately from economic recovery. The general weakness of the markets

enables us to win very good employees for compatil ag at acceptable

conditions.

Homepa ge

Search

Welcome to the Compatil AG

Analyse

News | Contest 2002 | Criteria | Team | Comment | Events | Service

Credits

Imprint

Links

12 | 13 Applications

Digital mediaeasy on-screen reading

Special attention was

paid when designing

Compatil to create an

optimum on-screen

appearance. The key

features are excellent

form and high quality

hinting. The hinting

protects characters

from being lost at low

resolutions.

Compatil Fact Bold, 7,5 pt


Compatil Letter Bold, 14 pt




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The Compatil Type System

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Compatil Exquisit Regular

Compatil Exquisit Regular Italic

Compatil Exquisit Bold

Compatil Exquisit Bold Italic

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Compatil Fact Regular

Compatil Fact Regular Italic

Compatil Fact Bold

Compatil Fact Bold Italic


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small caps. These type styles can easily be combined

with one another because of the unique visual and metric

concept behind their modular type system.



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Compatil Letter Regular

Compatil Letter Regular Italic

Compatil Letter Bold

Compatil Letter Bold Italic



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Compatil Text Regular

Compatil Text Regular Italic

Compatil Text Bold

Compatil Text Bold Italic

The Compatil type system consists of different weights,

Regular, Regular Italic, Bold and Bold Italic in different

type styles. A total of weights, all of which include

14 | 15 The Solution


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Trademarks

Linotype, Linotype Centennial, Compatil, Helvetica, News Gothic

and Sabon are trademarks of Linotype GmbH, which may be

registered in certain jurisdictions.

itc New Baskerville, itc Garamond, itc Lubalin Graph and

itc Officina are registered trademarks of International

Typeface Corporation (itc).

Futura and Serifa are registered trademarks of BauerTypes sa.

Rotis is a trademark of Monotype Imaging Inc., which may

be registered in certain jurisdictions.

All other trademarks are acknowledged to belong to the

relevant trademark holder.

We reserve the right of errors and changes.

2005 -2006 Linotype GmbH.

Linotype GmbH

Du-Pont-Strae 1

61352 Bad Homburg

Germany

Tel +49 (0) 6172 484-418Fax +49 (0) 6172 484-429

Documents

Linotype’s Compatil Type System