A typical electronic control panel used on several vehicles, including the popular Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, c. 1997–2003. A similar panel, with slightly different button labels, was used on vehicles such as the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Town Car. [Click to zoom]

A stunningly comprehensive use of Franz Heigemeir’s Modula (VGC) was as the main typeface for the interiors of millions of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles in North America from the late 1970s to about 2004.

This period coincided with the Jack Telnack led era of Ford design. As vice-president of design for Ford from 1980 to 1997, Telnack moved Ford design from the angular, crisp looks of the 1970s through the aerodynamic period of the 1980s and 1990s, particularly on the revolutionary Ford Taurus (1985). Millions of vehicles were designed by his team, including perennials including the F-series pickup and Mustang.

Interior instrumentation, controls and buttons during the period would typically use Modula – notable especially for the unusual shape of its distinctive R and K – exclusively, or occasionally with a display type (for example, large speedometer or clock numerals).

As the various vehicles designed during this era were replaced by new models designed by Telnack’s successor, J Mays, Ford gradually shifted away from the use of this type –- particularly toward Helvetica, which had long been used by Ford of Europe.

Typical Ford heater & air conditioning control panel, used on the best-selling Ford F-series pickup truck, as well as similar Ford Expedition models, from 1997–2004. Notice the ampersand.

This control panel provided audio and headphone controls for second-row passengers in a Ford Aerostar van, 1989–1995. Note the distinctive K shape. The Ford part number E99Z-19A164-A dates this part to 1989.

Parking brake release handle on a 1997–2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck. The lettering is applied using “pad printing” to the plastic substrate. The distinctive, groovy K is unmistakable.

Passenger airbag deactivation switch, and indicator lamp, Ford F-150 pickup truck, 1997–2004. Pad printing over textured ABS plastic. The same part was used on the similar Ford Expedition, 1997–2003.

Even the shifter knob of the Ford pickup (1997–2004) gets in on the use of the groovy, 1970s Modula font. 2003 model shown.

Although designed in the 1990s, the Ford pickup’s relatively smooth shapes work well with the unique Modula lettering. Note the use of the groovy and distinctive letter K. The ‘surround’ shape of the radio’s main panel uses '“pad printing” for the lettering. The buttons are molded in white with black paint; the lettering is etched or laser-cut out of the paint.

Modula imprinted on simulated woodgrain trim, 1987 Lincoln Town Car.

#PledgeToLead logo ft. Futura.

#PledgeToLead is a campaign focused on delivering insights and resources to encourage students to make emissions-reducing adjustments to their lifestyles via a web-based personal emissions calculator.

Sustainability permeates every level of Concordia University. From curriculum to research or green buildings to student initiatives, the Concordia community is working towards becoming more responsible citizens. Their newest initiative #PledgeToLead needed a brand and a repurposeable strategy, resonating with student audiences not just at Concordia but, with post-secondary school students everywhere.

Working closely with the Concordia team, we created a brand with a flexible visual identity for #PledgeToLead that can be easily adopted by other post-secondary institutions. We also designed the look, feel and beautifully clean UX/UI for a personal emissions responsive web calculator, thoughtfully crafted to match the student experience. Finally, we supplied Concordia with a design roadmap to finalize, develop and deploy the platform.

Futura was chosen as the premiere font for #PledgeToLead because it embodied the campaign’s vision of a sustainable future driven by a movement of responsible citizens.
We chose the humanist sans serif typeface Open Sans to compliment the brand on web because of its accessibility and thematic resonance with the human-centered focus of the project.

Responsive web app on mobile.

Responsive web app on tablet.

Responsive web app on laptop.

Open Sans is also used for a wall collecting “small commitments to form long-term habits.”

Accessible on smartphones and so always to hand, CoviDash gathers and displays the civil protection data on COVID-19 in real-time. It is an open source tool that a group of friends and colleagues have designed together and made available to the community to support the work of journalists, administrators and healthcare personnel, and also of associations, activists and individuals.

Research by Maurizio Napolitano, FBK Foundation.
CoviDash was published by Sheldon.studio (design by Matteo Moretti, development by Daniel Rampanelli), with all typography set in Sole Sans, designed by Riccardo Olocco and Luciano Perondi (CAST).

For more information, send a message to Sheldon Studio.

1989 model

The dashboards of classic Mercedes-Benz E-Class models (W124) from the late 1980s and early 1990s use Futura.

1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E

The iconic W124 speedometer design has been adopted for watches, too.

I don't know what the odometer numbers are set in, any insight would be welcome!

The Tesla Model S is the first premium all-electric car built in the US. It won car of the year honors from both Motor Trend and Automobile magazines, and Consumer Reports called it the best car they have ever tested. But the main reason I’d like to get behind the wheel of this vehicle is the massive, 17-inch touchscreen display.

Automobile in-dash displays are traditionally the poster children of poor UX design. Tesla’s is the antidote — thoughtfully laid out with intuitive controls inspired by the best iPad apps. And most notably, clean typography. Gotham is not the most exciting typeface, but I can think of few better options for this display. It’s very clear, legible at a variety of sizes and weights, and just like the car: American made. I commend the company for looking beyond Helvetica and Eurostile, dashboard choices that are standard in the auto industry and certainly not stars of legibility. This is also a major improvement over the Arial Italic display of last year’s Model S.

Personally, when it comes to car controls, I’m a fan of big knobs. And maybe a touchscreen can never successfully replace the immediate accessibility of a tactile device. But this is the best attempt I’ve seen so far.

Now that Tesla has produced a dashboard this lovely, maybe they can rethink their ugly logo, conceived with the goofy “hi-tech” aesthetic typical of contemporary car brands.

The design of the digital dashboard in front of the steering wheel is consistent with the center console display.