Together with Rudolf Barmettler, we designed a custom typeface for the signage of the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich.

The brief: revive a set of modernist-era letterings—some likely drawn by Ernst Keller, the father of Swiss Style. These letterforms were originally uncovered by Rudolf Barmettler in 2001, hidden behind wallpaper.

Because this typeface had to be as close to the initial letterings as possible, we remeasured and reassessed the complete collection of all findings. Almost all letters of NN Rektorat have been adjusted, mostly in their width. Some of them only in small details. I addition we developed a set of pictograms in order to communicate the most basic informations to international visitors.

Alongside the typeface, we created a suite of pictograms to guide international visitors through the museum. Clear, functional, and rooted in the same visual language as the letters themselves.

Photography: Patrik Fuchs

Photography: Matthias Bünzli

Any questions?

Clovis Vallois, our type director,
loves to help you.
Say hi via mail, and let’s have a chat.