Signar
- Design: Diego Dorantes
- Support: Liyang Zha
- Version: 1.1
- Role: Type designer
- Contributions: Type design · Art direction
Font Publishing - 2024 – 2025
Signar is a typeface designed with urban signage and legibility at its core. It combines geometric structure with grotesque traits to create a low-contrast font that is clear, modern, and subtly expressive. It’s especially suited for public spaces and complex visual environments.
Developed with a signage context in mind, Signar responds to an often overlooked area of communication in Mexico City. By merging clarity with personality, the typeface addresses the absence of cohesive urban typographic systems and offers a tool that is both functional and distinctive.
Brief
Urban signage in Mexico City has historically lacked a unified design approach. Most systems are improvised, with only a few exceptions such as the iconic Metro display type from the 1960s. There is no comprehensive text font for public use in transit or city infrastructure.
I aimed to fill this gap by designing a typeface that could be used across multiple environments. A key source of inspiration came from the wide variety of street name signs throughout the city—each with its own visual quirks, materials, and typographic choices. This diversity revealed both a richness in expression and a need for cohesion, motivating me to create a typeface that respects this range while providing a clear, modern solution.
Approach
Signar was shaped by an observational and curiosity-driven process, more empirical than academic. I didn’t conduct extensive historical research but instead drew insight from everyday visual encounters with signs, directions, and public markings throughout Mexico City.
The design takes inspiration from humanist typefaces like Adelle and Lystone, while asserting its own visual tone. Its open forms and low contrast ensure high readability in small sizes and under less-than-ideal conditions. I carefully considered practical performance, especially for reversed text and signage usage.
Inclusivity played an important role. I added extended Latin American language support, including the Saltillo, which is essential in various indigenous and regional writing systems. The Regular weight has slightly increased darkness for better visibility, and a lighter Book weight is planned for future releases.
Outcome
Signar is a flexible typeface that performs well across signage, editorial, branding, and digital applications. Its structure blends geometric and grotesque elements, making it efficient in horizontal space without feeling condensed. The result is a visually balanced font that remains friendly and approachable.
This first release sets the foundation for an evolving type family. Signar reflects a contemporary, interconnected design spirit—clear, accessible, and rooted in both local and global identities. It offers a thoughtful response to how cities can communicate more effectively and with greater cultural depth.
Very clean and nice!
