Monolith 9 Special Group 2 Special Gothic

Finalist
Credits
  • Pou Auaha / Creative Director
    Heath Lowe
  • Ringatoi Matua / Design Director
    Alistair McCready
  • Ngā Kaimahi / Team Members
    Clem Devine, Special Design, Katie Hamilton
  • Kaitautoko / Contributor
    Wei Huang
Description:

​​Special, a global creative agency with offices in major cities worldwide, needed a unique typeface to unify its visual identity that everyone in the network could access on the Google Platform. ‘Special Gothic’ was conceived to balance both utility and beauty, aligning with the agency's core values.

Special Gothic is inspired by the historical Trade Gothic which had been used by the agency for 15 years, and forms the basis for the enduring SPECIAL logotype. Designed in collaboration with Monolith, Special Gothic retains the practical and enduring qualities of the robust Trade Gothic while introducing a fresh, contemporary feel inspired by the likes of Record Gothic. Special Gothic is now a core part of Special’s global brand identity. It supports various applications, from digital to print, enhancing context and storytelling. It’s also a contemporary variable typeface, offering a range of weights including Condensed Regular, Condensed Medium, Condensed Bold, Regular, Medium, Bold, Extended Regular, Extended Medium, and Extended Bold — and everything in between.

The font is awaiting certification and approval from Google, which will extend its reach. Despite being unique to Special, the agency has decided to share it with the world, demonstrating their commitment to creativity and inclusivity. That’s special.