The Retros typeface was designed to unite two distinct lettering styles: the fluid, contrasting strokes of broad-nib brush calligraphy and the sharp, precise lines of chiseled stone carving. This font merges the softness of a brush gliding over paper with the strength and precision of a chisel carving into stone, blending these two elements into its elegant curves. The bold contrast was gently reduced to achieve a more natural look, similar to that of a broad-nib pen. The character proportions were inspired by the calligraphy of East German, Hungarian, and Bulgarian artists of the 1960s, as well as modern English calligraphy. In addition, inscriptions carved on tombstones near Karl Marx’s grave in Highgate Cemetery, London, influenced the design. This diverse mix led the author to experiment with various forms of dynamic and expressive strokes.
