Jan Tomás

Designer Jan Tomás created the fonts Linotype Alphabat™, Linotype Element™, Linotype Silver™ and Linotype Startec™ in 1999.
These fonts are part of the Take Type Library, chosen from the entries of the 1999 International Digital Type Design Contest for inclusion on the TakeType 3.1 CD.

When you look closely to Linotype Alphabat, the figures start to change from letters into flying bats and scary faces. Linotype Alphabat can be used for very short texts however it is particularly effective for headlines in larger point sizes so that its details are emphasized.

Like the font Linotype Alphabat, the overall picture of Linotype Element can lead to initial confusion. The heavy forms look like someone set two typefaces over one another. Linotype Element is best for very short text, especially for headlines in large point sizes, which highlight the details of the figures.

The pattern-like structure of the forms give Linotype Silver a decorative, ornamental look. Its basic shapes are robust but made to almost shimmer by the strokes of the pattern composing them. The font overall looks light and airy due to the resulting grey areas. Linotype Silver is intended exclusively for headlines in point sizes of 18 or larger.

Linotype Startec is an outline font whose unique forms are reminiscent of futuristic dreams and space adventures. It should be used in point sizes of at least 18, but the phrase ’the bigger the better’ fits this font well. The careful details and figures of the alphabet turn into UFOs and space ships from another world when set in very large point sizes. Linotype Startc is best for very short texts and headlines.