Designed originally by Ernst Friz in 1965 and then expanded on by two more designers over the next 20 years, the Friz Quadrata™ font family is a serif typeface with an assertive tone and timeless look. It is a glyphic design with roots in stone carving and chiseling, and does not evoke the usual notes of pen or brush forms seen in many typefaces.
Friz Quadrata History
Different sources ascribe the original Friz Quadrata to Swiss designer Ernst Friz independently in the early 70s and Ernst in partnership with designer Ed Benguiat in the late 60s. While Benguiat would go on to design several more typefaces, including the Avant Garde Gothic™ font family, the Bauhaus® font family, the Benguiat® font family, the Bookman™ font family, the Caslon® font family, and the Korinna® font family, Friz does not seemed to have developed any more typefaces after Quadrata.
After the success of the release of Friz Quadrata’s original weight, Victor Caruso stepped in to add a bold weight to the font family. Italics were also added in 1992 by French designer Thierry Puyfoulhoux to the original and the bold Quadrata. Friz Quadrata’s classic look exudes an elevated and even authoritative aesthetic, and the font has been used by a range of institutions and companies in branding and logo design. It is most recognizable within the States as the typeface used in the New York City Police Department logo.
Friz Quadrata Usage
Given its authoritative look and tone, the font is particularly popular amongst government and civil institutions. Friz Quadrata is used by the Chilean government, the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and the New Mexico Democratic Party. It is also popular in the world of entertainment and has been used by such diverse performers as Black Flag and Mariah Carey.
