CoType Foundry is a contemporary independent type foundry based in London, UK, founded by Mark Bloom (also known as Mash Creative). Established in the 2010s, CoType has quickly gained recognition for producing clean, versatile, and modern fonts that are both professional and accessible. Their typefaces are widely used in branding, editorial design, and digital interfaces, reflecting a distinctly modernist yet approachable design ethos.
Design Philosophy & Style
CoType Foundry’s philosophy revolves around creating practical, high-quality fonts for modern communication. Their library reflects a love for Swiss and geometric traditions, but with added warmth and usability. Key elements of their style include:
- Geometric sans-serifs designed for branding and digital use.
- Workhorse families with wide weight ranges and OpenType features.
- Contemporary display faces that balance boldness with refinement.
- A focus on clarity, simplicity, and consistency.
Notable Font Families
Some of CoType Foundry’s standout typefaces include:
- CoHeadline – A bold, attention-grabbing display sans serif.
- CoType – A modern sans serif inspired by Swiss design principles.
- Ambit – A geometric sans serif with subtle quirks for distinctiveness.
- Soda – A versatile sans serif with wide weight options, suited for branding.
- Interface – A functional sans serif optimized for digital applications.
- Aperçu (collaborative) – A neo-grotesque with character, popular in editorial design.
Visual Preview
| Font Name | Sample Preview (The quick brown fox…) |
|---|---|
| CoHeadline | The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog |
| CoType | The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog |
| Ambit | The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog |
| Soda | The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog |
| Interface | The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog |
Popular Pairings
- CoHeadline + CoType – Bold display and neutral sans combination for branding.
- Ambit + Interface – Quirky yet functional sans pair for editorial and web.
- Soda + CoHeadline – Versatile sans paired with striking display.
Premium Alternatives (Outside CoType)
- Avenir (Linotype) – A polished geometric sans similar to Ambit; price $$–$$$.
- Gotham (Hoefler & Co.) – Alternative to CoType/Soda; more corporate, neutral; price $$–$$$.
- Circular (Lineto) – Comparable to Ambit for geometric personality; price $$–$$$.
Free Alternatives (Outside CoType)
- Poppins (Google Fonts) – Free geometric sans alternative to Soda; less nuanced.
- Montserrat (Google Fonts) – A popular free sans with a similar modernist feel.
- Work Sans (Google Fonts) – Functional alternative to Interface; highly usable in digital projects.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Family | Style | Best Use Case | Availability | Similarity Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoHeadline | Display Sans | Posters, branding | Paid | 90% |
| CoType | Sans Serif | Branding, editorial | Paid | 94% |
| Ambit | Geometric Sans | Modern branding, UI | Paid | 96% |
| Soda | Sans Serif | Corporate identity | Paid | 93% |
| Interface | Sans Serif | Digital platforms, UI | Paid | 92% |
Conclusion
CoType Foundry has quickly built a reputation for sleek, professional, and highly usable typefaces. With fonts like Ambit, Soda, and CoHeadline, the foundry provides designers with modern tools for branding, editorial, and digital applications. Their work captures the clarity of Swiss design while adding a contemporary twist, making CoType a favorite among today’s designers.
Typeface Similar to Font 