An Unexpected Encounter with Gorton
In 2007, during my first trip to New York, with a brand-new digital camera in hand, I captured all the famous fonts I was supposed to love. American Typewriter adorned the I <3 NYC logos, Akzidenz Grotesk and Helvetica fought over subway signs, and Gotham was beginning to make its mark. Yet, one font went unnoticed, even though it was everywhere. That font is Gorton.
The Mystery Unveiled
It wasn't until 2017, while researching for my book on the history of typing, that I discovered Gorton. A font with square proportions and a style that mixed mechanical with childish. Its letters, often bizarre and amateurish, intrigued me. The G seemed ready to roll, the Q had a wavy hook, while the P and R were too wide. The & and @ symbols would have been mocked in a type critique.
A Unique Design
The numbers were no exception: a top-flatted 3, a uniquely sloping 7, and a strange symmetry between 6 and 9. The confusion between O and 0 could be costly elsewhere. Yet, it wasn't a rigid font: it varied even on a single keyboard, with 0 being square, dotted, or slashed, and I sometimes sporting serifs.
Gorton in the Modern World
Though Gorton seems chaotic, it has undeniable charm and remains relevant today. In a world where fonts are often standardized, Gorton brings diversity reflecting Manhattan's urban creativity. Its use on keyboards and signs means it's part of the physical user interface, influencing how we perceive text in everyday life.
Influence on Urban Design
Gorton is not just a typographic curiosity, but it plays a role in urban design. In Manhattan, where spaces are text-saturated, the font on a sign can influence a neighborhood's ambiance. Gorton, with its distinctive style, stands out and draws attention. It has become an unofficial visual signature of certain parts of the city.
The Relevance of Gorton in 2025
In 2025, Gorton remains an emblem of typographic diversity and urban adaptation. It reminds us of the importance of typography in visual communication and its impact on our perception of the urban environment.
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