Ad Lib (typeface)

Last updated
Ad Lib
Ad Lib Std.png
Category Display
Designer(s) Freeman Craw
Foundry ATF
Date released1961
Re-issuing foundries Bitstream Inc.
Design based onthe work of title designer and calligrapher Harold Adler

Ad Lib is a display typeface designed in 1961 by Freeman Craw for American Type Founders. The typeface was allegedly inspired by Harold Adler's design for the 1958 film Bonjour Tristesse . [1] [2] Filmotype also designed a narrow variant, Filmotype Pioneer [3] and a wider variant, Filmotype Moose. [4]

Originally released with two variants for many characters, [5] the digital versions seen today offer only one variant. [2]

References

  1. Bradley, Susan (January 26, 2016). Harold Adler talks about title design & film production for Saul Bass. Vimeo (Video).
  2. 1 2 "Ad Lib in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  3. "Filmotype Pioneer in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  4. "Filmotype Moose in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  5. McGrew 1993, p. 3.

Further reading