Didones are serif typefaces that appeared at the end of the 18th century, named after Firmin Didot and Giambattista Bodoni. They are recognized by their extreme contrast between thick and thin strokes, their perfectly vertical axis and their hairline serifs, with no bracket joining them to the stem.
Where to see it
Didones reign over fashion magazines and luxury: the logotypes of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar are famous examples. Their finesse makes them spectacular at large sizes, but more fragile in small text, where the hairlines tend to disappear.
Why this detail matters
Knowing Didones well helps use them in the right place:
- Their extreme contrast makes them the reference style for elegance and luxury;
- They show their full potential at large sizes, on headlines, covers and logotypes;
- At small sizes or on screen, their very thin hairlines can disappear, so a version suited to the size of use should be chosen.
Related term
Transitional typefaces bridge Garaldes and Didones, with already stronger contrast and an almost vertical axis.