For the Delicatessen, we created a custom handwritten typeface based on the original writing used on the shop’s boards for years. As the business expanded, this personal approach became difficult to maintain across locations.
We developed handwritten samples into a two-weight typeface with automatic alternates and contextual substitutions, allowing letters to respond to one another and maintain a natural flow. By identifying patterns such as letters changing size or form within words, we translated the handwriting into a consistent system. The result preserves the lively, human quality of the original while enabling scalable, consistent use.