FF Meta
FontFont · Erik Spiekermann · 1991
Erik Spiekermann's humanist sans-serif — born from a rejected postal commission and released through FontFont in 1991 to become one of the most influential typefaces of the 1990s.
About
FF Meta was designed in 1985 for Deutsche Bundespost but shelved before release. Spiekermann revived it for FontFont in 1991, intending it as an alternative to the then-ubiquitous Helvetica — warmer, more distinctive and more legible at small sizes. Its angled M crossbar, asymmetrical horizontals and open apertures became defining features of 1990s graphic design. The family expanded to include serif, headline and variable versions.
Classification
Humanist sans-serif conceived by Spiekermann as a deliberate antithesis to Helvetica. Originally designed for Deutsche Bundespost (West German postal service) in 1985 but rejected; released commercially via FontFont in 1991. Angled crossbar on M, asymmetrical E and T, open apertures. Expanded to include FF Meta Serif (2007), FF Meta Headline (2005) and FF Meta Variable (2018).