Free Font Friday: Allison

Allison is a script typeface designed by TypeSETit founder, Robert Leuschke. The presence of its brushy, flourished uppercase forms are all the more pronounced due to its relatively short x-height. While this serves to highlight the flourishes and lends the typeface an air of drama, it does make the type difficult to read at smaller sizes.

Another contributing factor against the face’s readability is its relatively small counters. The subtle variation in the width of the strokes help to tie the face firmly to the calligraphic tradition but result in some tight counters that close up fairly quickly as the face shrinks in size. Regardless, script typefaces aren’t the first choice when it comes to readability and this is a small price to pay for the personality Allison has to offer.

The overall character of the face feels casual and familiar. The tall verticals feel intentional and proud, though not overly clean and refined. Allison reads like the handwriting found in a letter from a close friend. Though a degree of flourish is present in the uppercase forms, they aren’t overly articulated nor do they draw too much attention. Their presence feels natural and gives the face a lively and poetic energy.

Allison is available in a single weight with both Latin and Vietnamese language support. You can find it here.