In Use: Penumbra for The Da Vinci Code
In lookÂing for a draÂmatic font with Roman roots, the designÂers of “The Da Vinci Code” posters and marÂketÂing mateÂriÂals could easily have relied on good ol’ Trajan. Instead, they went with someÂthing less common: PenumÂbra Serif. The PenumÂbra set is derived from the same clasÂsiÂcal Roman letÂterÂing as Trajan, but comes in three finÂishes — Sans, Flare, and Serif — and a larger range of weights.
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A simple flip of the ‘V’ to make an ‘A’ and a graÂdiÂent fill cusÂtomizes the typeÂface for the Da Vinci logo.


More backÂground on PenumÂbra from Adobe:
PenumÂbra, designed by Lance Hidy in 1994, is an all-​capital design. Hidy derived PenumÂbra from his poster lettering-​monoline forms with a blendÂing of conÂtemÂpoÂrary and traÂdiÂtional qualÂiÂties, which has evolved since the 1970s. Penumbra’s style range from a Futura-​like sans serif to a Sistina-​like serif can be sucÂcessÂfully used in myriad disÂplay sitÂuÂaÂtions. Hidy says about his typeÂface: “PenumÂbra is an ‘androgÂyÂnous’ letÂterÂform which morphs between the worlds of sans serif and serif.”
Update: Lance Hidy sent us some of his perÂsonal design work using PenumÂbra. Two stamps and a poster for Davis Kidd BookÂsellers also feaÂture his illustrations.

See more PenumÂbra in May’s FontShop News.
ShareThis3 Comments:
PenumÂbra is very interÂestÂing, I recall it. I’d be curiÂous to know about Hidy’s feelÂings, conÂsidÂered the stir such a novel and movie could have in a cliÂmate of ignoÂrance on reliÂgious matÂters like we have today.
I found weird to learn the pubÂlishÂers of PlayÂboy bought a license of my Ottomat. But people do what they want with your creÂation, once it’s out there.
I used PenumÂbra to create the logo and brandÂing for one of my clients.
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The FontFeed is a daily dispatch of recommended fonts, typography techniques, and inspirational examples of digital type at work in the real world. Eat up.
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PenumÂbra is a great alterÂnaÂtive. This is one of those fonts that proves MM would still be great to have around. Minor adjustÂments to serif length can have great effect.