Like an intergalactic species, F37 Galax is an amorphous and convention breaking experiment that bursts to life, even before the sentence is finished.
Built from a modular grid of circles, the font expands and contracts as it is typed. Each glyph comes with 3 widths that cycle throughout the words, imbuing the font with an unpredictable playfulness. The ridges and valleys of the font create movement and fluidity that play well against the otherwise mechanical style. If the undulating width are too much, the font can be limited to one of its three widths using the OpenType Stylistic Sets.
F37® × Keelin Wright
• F37 Galax
• Styles 1
• 2023
The Designer
I’m a Manchester based graphic designer and typographer, originally from Berkshire.
I’ve always been interested in typography, but my fascination really took root during my time as a teaching assistant alongside the respected typographer Paul McNeil. After completing a Master's in Graphic Design at the University for the Creative Arts, I honed my skills while interning at F37®, where I got to dive deeper into the world of type design. Nature and personal experiences are where I draw most of my inspiration. I'm captivated by the organic beauty around us, which led me to create Galax—a typeface inspired by the charming heart-shaped leaves of the galax plant. After partnering with F37®, I'm eager to continue honing my skills and crafting designs that resonate with audiences.
Inspiration
F37 Galax
Interview
Tell us about the inspiration behind your collaboration with F37®×. If it was an unused concept, what was the potential use case for it.
My collaboration with F37® started with some discarded type sketches I worked on during my master's course at uni. I was experimenting with modular grids, trying out different ideas. When I interned at F37®, Rick spotted these sketches and saw potential. He thought there was something cool there and encouraged me to dig deeper and develop it further. The shapes in the counters, inspired by the leaves of the galax plant, brought a special organic vibe to the design, adding extra creativity and meaning to the typeface.
When starting the process of creating your font, what typographic conventions did you look to break or experiment with? Or were there conventions of functionality you championed?
I wanted to explore typographic conventions in a unique manner. Instead of completely shunning traditional practices, I aimed to break conventions within the framework of a modular grid. I believe F37 Galax pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved within this structure by experimenting with unconventional shapes and arrangements and by incorporating three widths within the one typeface.
Now that your typeface has launched, what would be your dream project to use your F37® typeface on?
Now that F37 Galax is out there, I would love to see it being used for a music festival's branding. With its futuristic and alternative feel, F37 Galax seems like the perfect fit for such an event. I think it holds the potential of crafting a unique identity.
What have you learnt through developing and creating your own typeface(s) with our F37® type designers?
Through developing and creating my typeface with F37®, I've learned the importance of trusting ideas and seeing them through, even if I didn't initially recognise their potential. Additionally, I've gained a valuable lesson in the power of playfulness and experimentation with ideas.
How would you describe your typeface in three words?
Organic, experimental, weird.
F37 Galax Font Sampler
