Serie 605 is an all-caps geometric sans with some distinguishing features such as the horizontal strokes extending leftwards from the stems in the central bar in A, B, E, F, H, K, P, R and on both sides of the stems of M (M and N follow the lowercase shapes), as well as the diagonal of Z. Typical Art Deco hallmarks are circular C, G, O and Q, which contrast with the other condensed letters, and the rounded apex of A. The missing upper left corners of B, D, P and R seem to conjure up digital pixels and are another particularly felicitous extravagance of Serie 605.
Serie 605
Courtesy of Luca Lattuga
Serie 605 was produced as a wood type by the Xilografia Milanese some time between 1938 and 1940. With the inclusion of lowercase M and N within an uppercase design, Serie 605 follows in the footsteps of some of the most popular typefaces of the time, such as Nebiolo’s Udine series – not to mention their bestseller, Neon.
Courtesy of Luca Lattuga
‘The AM Serie 605 digital revival remains faithful to the original design while incorporating a number of subtle refinements’ says the designer Alessandro Bombieri. ‘In addition to expanding the character set to suit modern typographic needs, several of Serie 605’s distinctive features have been carefully refined. For example, the horizontal strokes extending beyond the stems have been shortened and standardised for consistent appearance. Optical adjustments have been introduced to improve overall balance, such as overshooting and restrained stroke modulation. Every effort was made to maintain the clarity of the geometric shapes, enhancing the typeface design’s overall cohesion and harmony.’ Narrow alternatives that follow the width of the rest of the letters are also provided for the wide C, G and O. Finally, AM Serie 605 also includes a stylistic set without the horizontal strokes extending from the stems. In the designer’s words, these are intended ‘to offer a more orderly interpretation of the typeface’.
No serif style (SS01)
Alternate O (SS02)
