Hexagonal typeface
22.05.2004
Hex is modular typeface based on a hexagonal grid which has eight different configurations depending on the linking of the elements within each character. Hex has been designed to explore modularity of type and colour application within an individual character form, not for a pure aesthetic.
The hexagonal grid allows for characters to be created from dots/lines on 30, 90 and 150 degree angles. These directional elements can then be isolated and individual fonts made for each of the directions. Type can then be set, duplicated, assigned one of the three fonts and coloured accordingly. At the point where the lines intersect there is also the opportunity when offset printing to overprint the three colours and generate an additional 3 or 4 colours within a single character. The ability to colour type in this way is an innovation in type design that has not be explored previously.
Hex also has the ability to be weighted according to the specific use, as the modular nature allows the thickness or thinness of the dot or line to be reduced or enlarged at will. It can be very simply animated by oscillating between the eight different configurations, giving the appearance of movement, which has specific applications in websites or banner advertisements to draw attention to a static piece of typography.
Hex has provided the opportunity to explore much broader issues in typography than just style by addressing issues related to function and use in varying environments.
