TYPEFACE DESIGN
2025 2024 2023
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
ZHIYU HUANG
25 EPHRAM
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD OTF
The foundation of this typeface revival is ITC Benguiat, a distinctive serif originally designed by Ed Benguiat in 1977. Known for its dramatic curves, ornate serifs, and Art Nouveau-inspired details, ITC Benguiat has long been celebrated for its use in film, book covers, and pop culture—most notably in Stranger Things. While its expressive nature makes it a striking display font, it lacks the subtlety and readability required for body text.
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
ITC Benguiat type specimen
This revival reimagines ITC Benguiat as a versatile text-friendly typeface, balancing its vintage charm with contemporary usability. Key refinements include taller x-height, softened stroke contrast, and more open counters to enhance legibility at smaller sizes. The exaggerated serifs and swashes have been subtly restrained, while spacing and kerning have been optimized for smoother reading.Visually, this revival maintains ITC Benguiat’s warmth and nostalgia, drawing inspiration from 1970s typography while incorporating modern typographic precision. Through experimentation with letterform simplifications and rhythm adjustments, the typeface evolves into a refined yet expressive serif for extended reading. This project is not just a restoration—it’s a transformation, bringing a cult-classic typeface into a new era.
Reference type specimens
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
25 Ephram type specimen by Zhiyu Huang
TYPEFACE DESIGN
2025
2024
2023
INSTRUCTOR
Christopher Sleboda
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Amanda Mundy (2025), Ash Wei (2024)
DESIGN
Erica Pritchett · Built with Cargo
ABOUT
This site documents student work from an advanced typeface design course taught by Christopher Sleboda and open to students in the MFA Graphic Design and BFA Graphic Design programs at Boston University, as well as students in the School of Visual Arts—including those in the new Visual Narrative MFA. The course provides a rigorous introduction to the conceptual and technical processes involved in creating original digital typefaces. Students explore the foundations of letterform construction—including structure, proportion, counterform, spacing, and rhythm—while developing their own typefaces.
Through research, sketching, and the use of digital tools like RoboFont, students engage with typographic history and contemporary practice to design functional and expressive typefaces. Each student produces a working font and a printed type specimen. This site showcases the results of that work, reflecting diverse design approaches and a deep engagement with the craft of type design.