Sandoll's First Variable Font Series, 『Sandoll Comp Series』
『Sandoll Comp Series』 Planning
『Sandoll Comp Series』 is Sandoll's first Latin font project planned for mixed typesetting with Korean fonts. Mixed typesetting refers to combining characters from different language scripts for layout. The primary goal was to create a neutral impression that fits well with the 『Sandoll Gothic Neo Series』 and also harmonizes with general Myeongjo and Gothic Hangul fonts. Therefore, the basic weights were designed to match the thickness of 「Sandoll Gothic Neo1」 and 「Sandoll Myeongjo Neo1」, but the project also attempted various features considering its use alongside other Korean fonts.
Sandoll’s First Variable Font
Furthermore, the 『Sandoll Comp Series』 is Sandoll’s first attempt at a variable font. The decision to utilize variable font capabilities was not merely to showcase its functional aspects, but to clearly aim at enabling compatibility with various Korean fonts, not limited to the 『Sandoll Neo Series』.
Variable fonts are the next-generation font type where multiple individual fonts are compressed into a single font file. Co-developed by Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Adobe, it was announced as OpenType version 1.8. For example, a font family consisting of 9 weights can be used in a single file, and users can finely customize weights between these 9 variations according to their preferences. Beyond weight, various styles can be adjusted along axes, allowing numerous individual fonts to be used in a single file. Variable fonts are thus economically viable and designer-friendly technology capable of micro-typography.
*The above section on variable fonts was written with reference to the contributed article.
Image Credit : MS OpenType Variable Fonts
「Sandoll CompSerif」
「Sandoll CompSerif」 is a Latin font and a variable font that Sandoll is trying for the first time, so it has several distinctive features. Let’s discuss them one by one.
Firstly, it includes ligature functionality. Ligatures combine two or more specific characters in a word to make them look more natural on the line. For instance, the right end (terminal) of the lowercase 'f' protrudes, and when it meets the next character, it can create ambiguous spacing. Ligatures are used to resolve this issue and in 「CompSerif」, more ligatures are created to achieve a smoother texture.
Next, it offers punctuation marks specifically designed for uppercase letters. 「CompSerif」 provides an additional set of eight punctuation marks suitable for uppercase letters, which can be accessed through OpenType features, allowing users to choose punctuation marks tailored to their needs.
It also provides small caps. The height of the small caps is slightly larger than the x-height (height of lowercase 'x'). When uppercase letters disrupt the texture of a carefully crafted line, using small caps can maintain a more stable texture.
「CompSerif」 is notably described as 'first' in many aspects. It is Sandoll's first font to provide all four sets of numbers. These sets include tabular lining, proportional lining, tabular old-style, and proportional old-style.
Old-style numbers are structured similarly to lowercase letters, aligning in size with Latin lowercase letters, ensuring harmony within the text. Tabular numbers are useful for aligning long strings of numbers, such as dates or mathematical formats, as all digits from 0 to 9 have equal width, facilitating uniform alignment in columns.
Lastly, there are glyphs for superscript, subscript, and fractions in 「CompSerif」. It supports numeral glyphs for creating superscript and subscript characters. Superscripts are positioned higher than numerator digits, while subscripts are positioned lower than denominator digits. By selecting superscript and subscript options from the OpenType menu in Adobe software character panels, you can clearly distinguish fraction digits. In addition to these glyphs, it also supports fraction options composed of numerator, denominator, and these digits. Utilizing the 'OpenType features' allows for easy typesetting of fractions.
「Sandoll CompSans」
Next is 「Sandoll CompSans」. 「CompSans」 includes various features from 「CompSerif」 along with several additional functionalities. Specifically, it offers another variable feature. 「CompSans」 allows for two variable axes: weight axis and terminal axis.
The terminal axis, like the weight axis, is a special axis designed for extended usability. Terminals refer to the end points of strokes. We have closely related the impression of Korean based on terminal angles, such as the end of connecting strokes or protrusions, with the impression of Latin. Users can finely adjust the angle of terminals to match the impression between Korean fonts and 「CompSans」.
「CompSans」 includes a total of 23 alternate glyphs. Starting from ‘R’, ‘a’, ‘g’, to 'y’, we have made each Latin extension so that users can change them according to their preferences.
Latin extensions include glyphs with pronunciation distinguishing marks called 'diacritics', such as Á. Café is a typical example. 「CompSans」 has produced 202 Latin extended glyphs (including 19 alternate glyphs) based on 56 basic Latin characters (including 4 alternate glyphs) for enhanced usability. 「CompSans」' Latin extension covers all European characters, even extending to 206 languages.
The glyph composition of 「CompSans」 is the same as that of the existing 「CompSerif」. However, in response to the needs of users who already use 「CompSerif」, we have added 38 additional punctuation marks. Of course, we also updated the specifications of 「CompSerif」 to coincide with the release of 「CompSans」, providing an even higher level of usability experience.
「Sandoll CompSans Italic」
Finally, let me introduce the brand-new 「Sandoll CompSans Italic」. Following the releases of 「CompSerif」 and 「CompSans」, we received common feedback from various users: the need for italic expansions. 「CompSans Italic」 is a family crafted in response to user demands. While italics have a long history serving various purposes, they are increasingly used alongside upright styles for emphasis in recent times. This richness in typesetting is an added bonus.
「CompSans Italic」 reflects the characteristics familiar to designers of Neo Grotesque and Grotesque Italic, while tempering the humanistic impression seen in 「Slate Italic」 and 「Adelle Sans Italic」. We have set the italics of 「CompSans Italic」 slightly steeper compared to these two fonts to ensure clear differentiation when typeset alongside upright styles. Moreover, overall letter spacing has been slightly reduced compared to the upright, enhancing cohesion.
In 「CompSans Italic」, there are interesting alternate glyphs, specifically for 'e' and 'f'. The alternate glyph for 'e' emphasizes a handwritten appearance. Additionally, the alternate glyph for 'f' is designed with a descender, significantly lightening and casualizing the overall typesetting impression when used as an alternate glyph. The terminals of 'f', 'j', and 'y' in the italic font are notably adjusted to highlight features that are distinctive in italics, with 'j' and 'y' tails gently curved less than in the upright.
Thus, 「CompSans Italic」 maximizes its appeal when mixed with 「CompSans」. We hope the 「Sandoll Comp Series」 enriches users' works.
Closing
The 「Sandoll Comp Series」 is a project with many firsts for Sandoll, making it a profoundly meaningful endeavor. Designers often face challenges when typesetting different Korean and Latin fonts together—adjusting sizes, managing differences in boldness, and aligning Korean and Latin text positions. These differences can inject graphic fun into typesetting but sometimes call for a subdued impression akin to wearing tone-on-tone attire. For such moments, look no further than the 「Sandoll Comp Series」.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the 「Sandoll Comp Series」 is developed exclusively for user convenience. We hope our commitment at Sandoll reaches users' hearts as we conclude this piece.
Written by: Sandoll Product Planning Team, Kim SeulKi