Lydian (typeface)

Lydian is a humanist sans-serif typeface designed by Warren Chappell in 1938 for the American Type Founders (ATF). It is characterized by its elegant and flowing letterforms, which feature a distinctive calligraphic influence.

The typeface's design departs from the geometric sans-serifs popular at the time, instead drawing inspiration from handwritten letterforms. This gives Lydian a more personal and organic feel compared to its contemporaries. Key features include its slightly condensed proportions, its gentle curves, and its subtly modulated strokes, which suggest the variation of pressure found in handwriting.

Lydian was originally released in a single weight, but a bold weight, Lydian Bold, was later added. The typeface has been used extensively in advertising, book design, and general print work. It has a reputation for being both elegant and readable. While not as ubiquitous as some other sans-serif typefaces, Lydian remains a popular choice for designers seeking a typeface with a touch of sophistication and human warmth.

A related typeface, Lydian Cursive, is a connecting script font designed by Warren Chappell to complement Lydian.