To mark its 125th anniversary, the U.S. department store Nordstrom has unveiled a new exclusive typeface family. Created by the global type foundry Sharp Type, it consists of three styles\u2014Nordstrom Serif, Nordstrom Flare, and Nordstrom Sans\u2014and an italic version exclusive to the Serif style. The goal is to enable the use of a single typography system across various communication environments, including in-store, advertising, and digital platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The starting point was Sharp Type's existing typeface, Ogg. Nordstrom Serif was created by reducing Ogg's characteristic high stroke contrast and calligraphic expression, and refining the structure to be more mechanical. Subsequently, based on the same character skeleton, it was expanded into Nordstrom Flare, which reduces serifs, and the geometric Nordstrom Sans. Flare serves as a semi-serif that bridges the gap between serifs and sans-serifs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each style is built on two weight masters, allowing for continuous adjustment of weight. The italic version of Serif was designed separately. It uses a continuous form reminiscent of a handwritten script, but the connectors and ligatures are constructed mechanically. Sans also incorporates the angular diagonal structure of the original Nordstrom logo and the geometric O shape of Ogg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather than a structure where the three typefaces transition directly from serif to sans-serif along a single axis, they are distinct typeface families that share the same formal foundation. It is a system that expands the range to allow a single brand to select from classic serifs to intermediate flares and concise sans-serifs depending on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n