Retro Haven

Retro Haven draws on the pixelated legacy arcade fonts — also known as 8-bit fonts. Traditionally, 8-bit fonts are monospaced and are constrained to an 8 × 8 grid limiting their design. Retro Haven breaks away from the rigid monotype characteristics of 8-bit fonts while still embracing the creative challenge of a computer-generated grid. The result is a hybrid typeface that fuses the blocky charm of 8-bit fonts with the warmth and nuance of a humanistic serif. Its letterforms draw heavy influence from Centaur, the 20th-century serif typeface by Bruce Rogers, based on Nicolas Jenson’s 1470 roman type.

Although originally intended for screens and video games, I also explored Retro Haven’s potential in print by creating custom stamps to invite people to interact, experiment, and play with the font.