empeka
An inelegant typeface.
Why was Empeka created?
The font was designed based on three letters painted on the façade of the MPK building in Częstochowa. In November 2019, the thermal renovation of the company’s office building was completed. When the scaffolding nets were removed, a surprised public saw the MPK sign. The three letters sparked considerable controversy. They appeared contrary to the presented renovation design, the opinions of urban movements, and the principles of design. The management decided the letters were not a problem and suited their modest aesthetic needs.
If the sign is not a problem, let’s go further! Let the letters multiply into a whole alphabet and go out into the world. Let them make the management famous in the way it deserves.
How was Empeka designed?
The first three basic letters “M, P, K” were traced from the building façade. The rest of the letters were designed based on them. The glyph widths were created according to the width of two or three window lines — and by chance. As a result, horizontal strokes are heavier than vertical ones. Curves are clumsy and flat, and diagonals taper in the opposite direction. The remaining elements of the typeface are an attempt to commit as many mistakes in type design as possible.
Although it is closely tied to the MPK sign in Częstochowa, it also accidentally captures the vibe of inept typography from Polish market stalls of the 1990s.
- The font, like its source, was created in one day, without particular care or commitment.
- The font contains only “uppercase letters,” because ego and pride do not allow the use of lowercase.
- Support for other languages? Unnecessary — after all, what’s ours is the best.
- Kerning? All spacing is the same.
- Hinting? Why bother?
- Typesetting features? Pfff…
