Art Deco Fonts

Art Deco is a style that became popular in the US after the 1925 Paris exhibition showcased decorative arts, industry, and technology. The Art Deco style is characterized by geometric and angular shapes and its unique illustrative line style. Often featured shapes are zigzags, geometric patterns, chevrons, and sunbursts.

The classic Art Deco design style is informed by Fauvism (vibrant colors), Cubism (expressive), Bauhaus (same time period), and others. The first phase welcomes voluptuous glamour to highlight optimism for the future through technological progress.

With the Stock Market Crash in 1929, the design got stripped back and became less decorative. This second phase is also called Stripped Classic or Streamline Moderne, featuring ocean liners, porthole windows, and eyebrow ledges.

In type design, ornate Art Nouveau flourishes got replaced by varied line weights and diagonals. Display type used lined fills, and x-heights were rather tall. Art Deco fonts often feature sans serifs with high and low crossbars, high contrast (e.g., Broadway type), and sleek and elegant designs in often only uppercase letters.