Lef Serif is a typeface inspired by the radical visual language of early Soviet Constructivism. Originally conceived as a display typeface for editorial contexts — such as magazines, newspapers, and exhibition identities — Lef Serif draws on the bold structural logic of 1920s avant-garde posters and publications. The typeface is built from geometric components, echoing architectural beams and industrial assemblies, while its sharp angles and graphic contrasts pay homage to the dynamic tension found in Constructivist compositions.
Though Lef Serif references the proportions of humanist serif typefaces, many conventional forms have been intentionally reworked: curves are replaced with abrupt corners, and soft transitions give way to mechanical precision. Certain terminals are exaggerated or sharpened to enhance visual direction and rhythm. The typeface exists in both serif and sans-serif versions, allowing for flexible typographic systems that range from expressive headlines to more restrained layouts.
Lef Serif was developed through formal and conceptual explorations of structure, rhythm, and modularity. Just as Constructivist artists rejected ornament in favor of utility and collective meaning, this typeface aims to serve as a functional design tool — clear, forceful, and ideologically charged. The family is designed to work in different sizes and environments, from dense typographic grids to bold, asymmetrical display settings. The spirit of LEF lives on in a typeface that is not decorative, but constructive.
The 6-week type design programme that you’ve been waiting for starts on 3 June and ends 11 July 2025
Our summer programme is in English and covers typeface design and calligraphy techniques, type history, and software practices. Every kind of design professional can learn about type design in a relatively short amount of time.
➼ Be ready for Summer26.
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