FF Videtur’s concept is based on bitmap fonts created by Axel Bertram for the state television broadcaster in East Germany (GDR-TV) during the 1980s. Research and testing including a broad series of experiments with the specific display conditions of 625-line television screens led to three specific findings: Serif letterforms are easier to recognize than their monolinear sans counterpart; Serifs help stabilize letterforms and improve the reading movement across a line of text. As to the structure of the serifs, a balled-knot proved to be the most suitable; And an alternating stroke contrast leads to easier differentiation between letters. In light of the specific display conditions, these design decisions led to the best legibility possible for the medium. FF Videtur is a contemporary interpretation of this original typeface concept. The family’s four weights support the Latin-based European languages. In addition to both lining and oldstyle figures in both proportional and tabular spacing, the fonts support arbitrary fractions, scientific inferiors and superiors, and include a series of arrows, symbols and ornaments.
