By Graham Herrli
Download Count: 6794
License: Public domain / GPL / OFL
Author Notes:
Minikin is a specialized caption font designed for legibility at incredibly small sizes. It falls into the category of semi-serif fonts, featuring serifs exclusively on ascenders and descenders. Notably, the ascenders and descenders have been widened while their overall height reduced. In the typical font, descenders occupy approximately 20% of the total height, but in Minikin, they account for only 15%. Likewise, the ascenders are compressed to take up just 15% of the space between the x-height and cap-height. A select few characters such as (, |, {, }, l, and ) extend slightly beyond the cap-height, adding an extra 3%. This leaves a substantial 67% of the total height for the primary body of most letters. Minikin's legibility at small sizes is enhanced by several factors: Low stroke contrast: The thickest strokes are a mere 13% of the height, while the thinnest measure about 8%. Low stroke contrast: The thickest strokes are a mere 13% of the height, while the thinnest measure about 8%. Thick strokes: This feature prevents the font from appearing washed out when used at small sizes. Interestingly, at larger sizes, the font takes on a slight resemblance to a blackletter typeface due to its thick strokes and vertical emphasis. Thick strokes: This feature prevents the font from appearing washed out when used at small sizes. Interestingly, at larger sizes, the font takes on a slight resemblance to a blackletter typeface due to its thick strokes and vertical emphasis. Open counters: Rather than anchoring curves with a single point, many curves are anchored with two points, causing circular areas to bulge slightly toward rectangles. Open counters: Rather than anchoring curves with a single point, many curves are anchored with two points, causing circular areas to bulge slightly toward rectangles. Whitespace optimization: Areas where whitespace points inward toward the letter have been carefully adjusted to prevent ink from filling those corners when printed. An example of this optimization can be seen in the ampersand character around size 72. Whitespace optimization: Areas where whitespace points inward toward the letter have been carefully adjusted to prevent ink from filling those corners when printed. An example of this optimization can be seen in the ampersand character around size 72. Generous letter spacing: The space between each letter pair is almost twice the width of a stroke, as each bearing (the margin on each letter's edge) is approximately as wide as a stroke. Generous letter spacing: The space between each letter pair is almost twice the width of a stroke, as each bearing (the margin on each letter's edge) is approximately as wide as a stroke. Minikin is available for use under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, which can be reviewed at this link. If you decide to use this font, you are encouraged to send an email to herrli <dot> ch [at] hotmail <dot> com to share your usage, although it's not obligatory. Donations are also welcomed through dafont.com's donation link. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
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