Ben
Typography
A modular typeface inspired by Ben Bos’s branding for Randstad, while working at Total Design in 1969–70.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7758093c0054d9c407b22f9870976bc023562e120428feb88c5599a9fc661666/logos_00021.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c70dbfb84fb5eead1651c6b32aba2cbb3c17c7bafe68dc34ccf5a9beea50da26/ben_28.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8ab6147860e2bc29ca4677bb93534cb116c6635d95455732ba6bfece118d97c8/ben_00002.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/10682e5f34a68b2d2c0013e764008d370948b2507adedf4e4f3594f93c40b8d5/ben_00004.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/411ce9f766094feb6be9032d0e023aa29eeec45c97dbc9d928ff8b9741b0fc4d/ben_00009.png)
Lower & Uppercase B
While the curves are based on a dot matrix, the underlying structure consists of a five by seven square grid that determines the overall heights and widths of the stems and crossbars. Within, two eight-sided polygons that overlap, determining the shape of the majority of the letterforms.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/54929855a01c6d9fa56a7308e02fd9d421ddf0331f60a0a268f83727600587b0/ben_25.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/869c7c961190755dca33e80d10743e79cccf66ff58bb35c2c31c9f52da146725/ben_27.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f0afd27bd187ca5f9e6d404cde0422101c9638ead1dd909ad7080dcaa31a8159/ben_00007.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6aadb81541a727b0b2e56a07c27bebe7784bd12638f87456698c38481ede7da0/ben_00011.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/03f87bdd79191e2066bd635427441bacb1442927765c433de8200bf3bee7ae65/ben.jpg)
Ben Bos died in 2017 at the age of 86, having worked at Total Design for 28 years. This work is as much a tribute to Ben Bos as it is an exploration in letterforms.
Credits
Quotes: TD63-73, published by Unit Editions.
Photo: Andrew G Hobbs
Photo: Andrew G Hobbs