This dynamic and energetic typeface from Nouvelle Noire, a type foundry and type design studio based in Zurich, Switzerland, draws inspiration from an unexpected fusion of radial lines, logarithmic spirals, and the style of early grotesques, resulting in a typeface that is both visually striking and conceptually intriguing.
Pivot Grotesk’s journey began in 2020 as a custom typeface for the Theater Basel’s identity. The typeface draws inspiration from Armin Hofmann’s iconic use of typography in his Theater Basel poster designs from the 1960s. The unrestrained style of early grotesques were the main influences for the typeface back then, enriched with a search for something dynamic and lively. Fast forward to 2024, and the typeface has been redeveloped and expanded for its retail release, bringing its unique character to a wider audience.
The typeface’s distinctive features stem from two key visual principles: radial lines and logarithmic spirals. Radial lines, seen in timekeeping and visualisations of walking, are straight lines extending outward from a central point—like the hands of a clock. Logarithmic spirals, found in nature and the Milky Way’s rotation, are curves that grow exponentially as they move away from the centre, forming a spiral shape.
These visual principles were chosen to infuse the typeface with a sense of movement and life. Anton Studer, Co-founder of Nouvelle Noire and the designer behind the typeface, explains that both forms originate from movement and living things. “This interested us, as we did not want to bring another dead, neutral, rational typeface into this world.” According to him, it’s “the space between the lines” in these forms that inspired the foundry, where both radial lines and logarithmic spirals exhibit a certain expansion— “and this brings the lively, dynamic character to the letterforms.”
The influence of early grotesque typefaces is also evident in Pivot Grotesk’s DNA, drawing from a rich typographic history including Akzidenz Grotesk and Shelter Grotesk. Studer mentions an unexpected source of inspiration: “a nameplate found in the Natural History Museum in London.” When combined, this blend of references and design principles gives Pivot Grotesk its unique flavour.
The core of the typeface feels robust and geometric, but, avoiding the familiarity and perhaps oversaturation of the genre, Nouvelle Noire introduces unexpected flicks and tapers, subtly flared terminals and details designed to catch the eye.
When asked about the most interesting facets of the typeface, Studer enthusiastically responds, “There are too many!” Some details, such as the terminal of the ‘t’ have been developed using the principles of the expanding space in the logarithmic spiral, while others, such as the leg of the ‘R’, are more rectilinear, rooted in radial lines. He also points to the teardrop-like counter and swirling form of the ‘a,’ inspired by the logarithmic spiral, and the dramatic tapering point of the ‘M.’ Furthermore, the expansion of the typeface from its 2020 iteration led to more extreme dynamic characteristics, some complete character redesigns, such as the question mark, and “round instead of rectangular dots.”
Available in eight weights from Thin to Black, and Italics, Pivot Grotesk offers a comprehensive range of styles to suit various design needs. It is also available as a variable font, on request.
The typeface comes in two character sets: a basic set covering Western European languages, and a standard (STD) character set that extends coverage to Eastern European languages and includes additional typographic characters.
Pivot Grotesk’s versatility shines through in its potential applications, where Studer imagines it excelling in contexts that are “funny and nice when it is lively and dynamic.” Ultimately, Nouvelle Noire positions Pivot Grotesk as a typeface that can bring a fresh, energetic voice to a wide range of design projects. If you’re tired of “dead” neutrality in the type world, this is your answer.
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For a deeper dive into Pivot Grotesk and licensing information, visit their microsite. To stay updated on future releases and collaborations from Nouvelle Noire, follow them on social media.
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