sansserifSchriften

SansSerifSchriften, or sans-serif fonts, are typefaces that lack the small decorative strokes known as serifs at the ends of their letterforms. They typically feature straight, open shapes, even stroke width, and a simplified presentational style. They are commonly classified into several families, including grotesque (or grotesk), neo-grotesk, geometric, and humanist sans-serifs. Prominent examples include Helvetica and Univers (grotesque/neo-grotesk), Futura (geometric), and Gill Sans and Frutiger (humanist).

History and use: Sans-serif forms emerged in the 19th century as display faces and were refined in the 20th century by the modernist movement; they gained prominence with ideas of clarity and rational design. With the rise of digital typography, sans-serif fonts became common in interfaces, signage, branding, and web typography due to their clean and legible appearance at small sizes.

Design considerations: Choosing a sans-serif depends on context; geometry vs humanist influences affect readability and tone. Grotesque and neo-grotesk families tend to be neutral and versatile, geometric sans-serifs convey a techno-modern tone, and humanist sans-serifs often offer greater warmth and legibility due to more calligraphic shapes. On screens, many sans-serifs are optimized for clarity at small sizes, with generous x-heights and open counters.