Mason Serif
Barnbrook · Jonathan Barnbrook
A display serif drawing on European architectural forms, Gothic church windows and classical temples, with a deliberately confrontational naming history.
About
Originally released under the name Manson, a reference to serial killer Charles Manson chosen to juxtapose beauty and violence, the typeface was renamed Mason by distributor Emigre following complaints. Its letterforms pull from the gardens of Versailles, Grecian temple porticos and Gothic tracery, colliding historical references into a single expressive display face. It has since been adopted by major clients including the BBC and Walt Disney.
Classification
Mason Serif draws on eclectic historical and architectural references including Gothic, Classical and Christian forms, placing it firmly in the display serif category with a decorative, expressive character.