Canetti Foundation
Weymann Serif gives the critical editions of Nobel Prize winner Elias Canetti a typographic voice that reflects his clarity and character: it is powerful, clear, and enduring.
Images by the courtesy of the Canetti Foundation
Image by the courtesy of Marc Weymann
The Canetti Foundation is dedicated to editing the works and literary estate of the writer Elias Canetti. Born in 1905 and deceased in 1994, the Nobel Prize winner for literature is considered a classic of world literature. The foundation publishes the "Zürcher Ausgabe" (Zurich edition), a critical complete edition that, for the first time, also makes material from the approximately 10,000-page estate accessible.
Jost Hochuli was commissioned to develop the typographic concept for the text pages of the editions and proposed, among other options, the "Weymann Serif" to the foundation. The typeface proved to be a perfect choice, as it draws on typographic traditions while developing a voice entirely its own: powerful, generous, and clear. It was thus used not only in the books but was also adopted into the foundation's branding.
Image by the courtesy of Marc Weymann. Text: © Elias Canetti Erben Zürich
Images by the courtesy of the Canetti Foundation
Weymann Serif was explicitly designed for enduring texts that stand the test of time and are read again and again—a philosophy that fits particularly well with the Canetti Foundation's editions. Some volumes comprise up to 1,000 pages, which benefit from the font's exceptional legibility, especially in the robust Book style.
Behind the rational and precise typography of Weymann Serif lies a quiet reflection on the act of writing – refined, balanced, and free of frills. The font is expressive and full of character without appearing extravagant. It captivates the eye in a calm, haunting way, similar to Canetti's prose, in which his view of the world is perceptible. The calm confidence of Weymann Serif makes it the ideal typographic translation of an author who, throughout his life, dealt with existential themes in a clear but characterful style.
Image by the courtesy of Marc Weymann. Text: © Elias Canetti Erben Zürich
Image by the courtesy of Marc Weymann. Text: © Elias Canetti Erben Zürich
Images by the courtesy of the Canetti Foundation
Image by the courtesy of Marc Weymann. Text: © Elias Canetti Erben Zürich