Lithos
Lithos
Year: 1989
Designer: Carol Twombley
Foundry: Adobe
Type designers seek inspiration in many places. Some look to the handlettering styles of calligraphy, signpainting, comic books or even grafitti. Others find inspiration in examples of letterforms that existed long before type was even invented. Linotype even staged a “Type Before Gutenberg” project that resulted in a number of typefaces inspired by antiquity.
Type designer Carol Twombley was similarly inspired to explore the ancient world in search of letterforms. Her forays into imperial Rome and Byzantium led to the creation of both Trajan and Charlemagne, two of her most popular typefaces. But it was her exploration of engravings found on structures from ancient Greece that led to the development of Lithos. Its simplified geometry and lively rhythm make Lithos a popular choice for display applications and Greek restaurant menus.