The Great Subway Font Mystery
You've probably ridden the NYC subway, right? If you have, you've undoubtedly seen those iconic black and white signs pointing you towards your destination. But have you ever wondered what font those signs use? Yeah, me neither. Until last week, that is.
A Subway Font Odyssey
I was minding my own business, scrolling through Instagram, when a post about typography caught my eye. It was all about the evolution of fonts, and for some reason, my brain decided to take a detour to the NYC subway. Suddenly, I was obsessed.
I mean, it's not like I was planning a career in typography or anything. I just thought it would be a fun little rabbit hole to dive into. Boy, was I wrong.
The Font That Launched a Thousand Questions
Turns out, identifying the exact font used on NYC subway signs is like trying to find a needle in a digital haystack. There are a bunch of different styles, and they seem to vary depending on the age of the station. Some people swear it's Helvetica, others say it's a custom font.
I’ve spent hours pouring over subway photos, comparing fonts, and even consulting with a graphic designer friend (who, by the way, was not amused by my sudden obsession).
The Verdict?
It's complicated. While there's no definitive answer, the general consensus seems to be that the most common font is something called Univers. It's a sans-serif font with a clean, modern look. But don't quote me on that, okay?
How to Become a Subway Font Expert (Probably Not)
If you're still curious about this whole thing, here are a few quick tips:
- How to identify different font styles: Start by looking at the thickness of the lines and the shape of the letters.
- How to find font resources online: Websites like MyFonts and Font Squirrel have massive databases of fonts.
- How to use typography tools: There are apps and software that can help you analyze fonts and compare them to others.
- How to avoid becoming obsessed with subway fonts: Unplug from the internet. Seriously.
- How to appreciate the beauty of subway signage: Just enjoy the fact that you can get from point A to point B without getting lost.
So there you have it. A deep dive into the world of subway typography. Who knew it could be so... interesting? Not me, that's for sure.
