Avenir (from the French for “future”) was Linotype’s answer to Futura. Even the choice of name demonstrates that a linear sans-serif typeface designed by Adrian Frutiger automatically has a more “melodious”, softer and more human character. Avenir was composed of six fonts when it was first released, later growing to twice that number.


Akira Kobayashi and Adrian Frutiger presenting Avenir Next to a group of experts in 2004 (Photo: FontShop)

In 2004, the font family was masterfully reworked by Frutiger and Akira Kobayashi. Avenir Next offered 24 fonts, including small capitals and condensed versions of all six weights.