The Bold Transformation of Mynor-B Typeface

Designed by The Northern Block

When The Northern Block set out to redefine an existing typeface, it’s unlikely anyone anticipated the process would involve deconstructing a 1950s-inspired geometric font and reassembling it with a touch of Japanese-Jazz-inspired artistry. Yet, that's precisely what happened, resulting in the uniquely diverse and individualistic Mynor-B typeface.

Multiple influences converge in Mynor-B. From the heritage of the Great Northern Coalfield to the intricacies of Japanese craft and the vast expanse of the cosmos, the typeface's name evokes imagery of distant exoplanets or moons orbiting Saturn. Mynor-B’s evolution traversed these realms before arriving at its current form.

Originally designed in 2019 by The Northern Block, the Mynor typeface featured stark geometric lines and pushed creative limits just before the pandemic reshaped our perceptions of boundaries. Mynor experimented with internal counters and pattern disruption, a practice now gaining prominence.

"We were never sure why we liked Mynor, but with Mynor-B, we wanted to push that challenge even more." — Jonathan Hill, Type Designer

This drive to challenge norms birthed an entirely new approach to typeface creation—radical and freestyle, more a flow than a traditional craft. Mynor was initially constructed, then deconstructed, its letterforms torn like paper. The stripped-down geometry was reassembled, embracing the imperfections that emerged. Jonathan’s subsequent process mirrored the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with precious metals, celebrating flaws and incorporating expressive elements into the letterforms.

"The intention was to celebrate imperfections and introduce expressive elements into the letterforms, echoing the beauty found in repaired pottery." — Jonathan Hill, Type Designer

Guided by this philosophy, Mynor-B moved away from its predecessor's rigid geometric style towards a more organic, imperfect design. This shift aimed to create a more humanist, expressive, and readable typeface, particularly for longer text passages.

Jonathan had to resist the urge to reform the typeface with experienced discipline, instead embracing the fervor and naivety of his younger self. This approach led to subtle refinements, breaking rules and reapplying them like golden threads to mend the fractured geometry.

Working within the Mynor-B lineage, Jonathan adjusted digital lines without grid constraints, aiming for a balance between distortion and legibility. The goal was to celebrate imperfection without sacrificing functionality, which remains evident in Mynor-B’s application to long-form text.

The development of Mynor-B was guided by intuition rather than conventional typographic rules. Resisting the temptation to rely on historical references, the process was more a free-solo climb in experimental sans than a structured construction.

Mynor-B establishes a distinct identity in type design, setting aside traditional typeface creation rules in favor of experimentation and exploration. If type designers continue to embrace this mindset, we might one day have the letterforms to communicate once we colonize Mars and beyond.

The Northern Block, an esteemed independent type foundry situated in the North East of England, has garnered international acclaim for its innovative modernist fonts designed for brands, creatives, and makers. This prestigious foundry is powered by a highly skilled global team, whose collective expertise has resulted in an extensive collection of award-winning typefaces that stand out in the industry.

In addition to its impressive retail font library, The Northern Block excels in creating bespoke typeface designs for corporate clients, catering to unique brand identities and specific visual requirements. The foundry’s dedication to linguistic diversity is evident in its proficiency with multi-script languages, encompassing Arabic, Cyrillic, Greek, and Hebrew. This comprehensive approach ensures that their typefaces are not only visually striking but also culturally relevant and accessible to a global audience.

The Northern Block’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of type design is reflected in their continuous exploration of new styles and techniques, solidifying their reputation as pioneers in the field. Their work is characterized by a blend of aesthetic elegance and functional precision, making their typefaces a preferred choice for those seeking to make a bold statement through typography.

The Bold Transformation of Mynor-B Typeface

When The Northern Block set out to redefine an existing typeface, it’s unlikely anyone anticipated the process would involve deconstructing a 1950s-inspired geometric font and reassembling it with a touch of Japanese-Jazz-inspired artistry. Yet, that's precisely what happened, resulting in the uniquely diverse and individualistic Mynor-B typeface.

Multiple influences converge in Mynor-B. From the heritage of the Great Northern Coalfield to the intricacies of Japanese craft and the vast expanse of the cosmos, the typeface's name evokes imagery of distant exoplanets or moons orbiting Saturn. Mynor-B’s evolution traversed these realms before arriving at its current form.

Originally designed in 2019 by The Northern Block, the Mynor typeface featured stark geometric lines and pushed creative limits just before the pandemic reshaped our perceptions of boundaries. Mynor experimented with internal counters and pattern disruption, a practice now gaining prominence.

"We were never sure why we liked Mynor, but with Mynor-B, we wanted to push that challenge even more." — Jonathan Hill, Type Designer

This drive to challenge norms birthed an entirely new approach to typeface creation—radical and freestyle, more a flow than a traditional craft. Mynor was initially constructed, then deconstructed, its letterforms torn like paper. The stripped-down geometry was reassembled, embracing the imperfections that emerged. Jonathan’s subsequent process mirrored the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with precious metals, celebrating flaws and incorporating expressive elements into the letterforms.

"The intention was to celebrate imperfections and introduce expressive elements into the letterforms, echoing the beauty found in repaired pottery." — Jonathan Hill, Type Designer

Guided by this philosophy, Mynor-B moved away from its predecessor's rigid geometric style towards a more organic, imperfect design. This shift aimed to create a more humanist, expressive, and readable typeface, particularly for longer text passages.

Jonathan had to resist the urge to reform the typeface with experienced discipline, instead embracing the fervor and naivety of his younger self. This approach led to subtle refinements, breaking rules and reapplying them like golden threads to mend the fractured geometry.

Working within the Mynor-B lineage, Jonathan adjusted digital lines without grid constraints, aiming for a balance between distortion and legibility. The goal was to celebrate imperfection without sacrificing functionality, which remains evident in Mynor-B’s application to long-form text.

The development of Mynor-B was guided by intuition rather than conventional typographic rules. Resisting the temptation to rely on historical references, the process was more a free-solo climb in experimental sans than a structured construction.

Mynor-B establishes a distinct identity in type design, setting aside traditional typeface creation rules in favor of experimentation and exploration. If type designers continue to embrace this mindset, we might one day have the letterforms to communicate once we colonize Mars and beyond.

Neue is a branding and design agency that thrives on close collaboration with clients to deeply understand their unique challenges and create significant, lasting impacts on their brands. Our team of dedicated creatives is passionate about transforming complex concepts into clear, compelling, and innovative solutions. By embracing a methodology centered on simplicity, we design new, relevant, and remarkable experiences that resonate with audiences and elevate brand identities. Through our tailored approach, we ensure that each project not only meets but exceeds expectations, setting new standards of excellence in the industry.

The Northern Block, an esteemed independent type foundry situated in the North East of England, has garnered international acclaim for its innovative modernist fonts designed for brands, creatives, and makers. This prestigious foundry is powered by a highly skilled global team, whose collective expertise has resulted in an extensive collection of award-winning typefaces that stand out in the industry.

In addition to its impressive retail font library, The Northern Block excels in creating bespoke typeface designs for corporate clients, catering to unique brand identities and specific visual requirements. The foundry’s dedication to linguistic diversity is evident in its proficiency with multi-script languages, encompassing Arabic, Cyrillic, Greek, and Hebrew. This comprehensive approach ensures that their typefaces are not only visually striking but also culturally relevant and accessible to a global audience.

The Northern Block’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of type design is reflected in their continuous exploration of new styles and techniques, solidifying their reputation as pioneers in the field. Their work is characterized by a blend of aesthetic elegance and functional precision, making their typefaces a preferred choice for those seeking to make a bold statement through typography.