1. Bodoni
Bodoni is a series of serif typefaces first designed by Giambattista
Bodoni (1740–1813) in 1798. The typeface is classified as Didone
modern. Bodoni followed the ideas of John Baskerville, as found in
the printing type Baskerville, that of increased stroke contrast and
a more vertical, slightly condensed, upper case, but taking them to
a more extreme conclusion. Bodoni had a long career and his de-
signs evolved and differed, ending with a typeface of narrower un-
derlying structure with flat, unbracketed serifs, extreme contrast
between thick and thin strokes, and an overall geometric construc-
tion. Though these later designs are rightfully called “modern”, the
earlier designs are “transitional”. Among digital versions, there are
two good examples of the earlier, transitional period: Sumner Stone’s
ITC Bodoni, and Günther Lange’s “Bodoni Old Face” for Berthold.
Virtually all other versions are based on Bodoni’s most extreme late
manner. Bodoni admired the work of John Baskerville and studied
in detail the designs of French type founders Pierre Simon Fournier
and Firmin Didot. Although he drew inspiration from the work of
these designers, above all from Didot, no doubt Bodoni found his own
style for his typefaces, which deservedly gained worldwide acceptance
among printers.
