ATF Franklin Gothic Specimen Booklet
5.25x7.5” Specimen Booklet
Franklin Gothic was drawn in 1895 by Morris Fuller Benton and released to the public by the American Type Founders in 1902. Characterized by its legibility and subtle contrast, it has since become one of the world’s most widely used sans-serif typefaces. Though it was originally designed for newsprint, its versatility has allowed it to be used in many applications.
This specimen booklet (alternatively titled Justice+Liberty) explores Franklin Gothic through the lens of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, an epoch for which the typeface is particulary suited. Its origins in newsprint headlines make it ideal for relaying the movement’s protest signage. The typography throughout the specimen, mixed with photography from the era, echoes the language of protest, with different weights set beside one another like marchers rallied together.
