Leikkuutyyli

Leikkuutyyli, literally “cutting style” in Finnish, refers to a typographic design approach in which letterforms are composed of angular, segmented lines that give the appearance of being cut or segmented. The method emphasizes sharp edges, straight strokes, and a geometric fragmentation of traditional letter shapes. Originally developed in the early twentieth century by Finnish typographers working in avant‑garde movements, leikkuutyyli is closely linked to modernist principles of minimalism and clarity, and it often appears in signage, corporate branding, and display typefaces.

The style is especially prevalent in Finnish contemporary design and has been adopted by prominent type designers such as Jukka Keskinen and Jyrki Kolpi, who have created several fonts that embody the leikkuutyyli aesthetic. These typefaces, such as "Leikkuutu" and "Hanke", use broken strokes and low x‑height to convey a crisp, modular feel. Designers choose leikkuutyyli when the desired visual message is about precision, structure, and the technical, often requiring contrast with rounded, organic type styles.

Leikkuutyyli is also used in user interface design where icons and text need to be readable at small sizes or in digital contexts. Because the segmented strokes reduce the amount of ink or pixels required, the style is resource‑efficient and scales well for responsive layouts. In advertising, the clear, angular look can emphasize directionality and movement, making it popular in road signage and navigation apps.