Daniel Reed’s latest typeface Bulk is designed for “no nonsense, in-your-face usage”

Although they always differ in graphic style, fonts created by Sheffield-based designer Daniel Reed display a very different attitude to typography than most are used to. An example how fun his workman be, whether it be creating a typeface inspired by free jazz or by pushing the boundaries of what a bold typeface, is seen in his latest typeface, Bulk.

Perfect for “no nonsense, in-your-face usage,” Bulk shows an alternate direction in type design for Daniel who launched his own foundry back in August, 2017. “I first decided to make Bulk as a direct response to the typefaces I had designed previously,” Daniel tells It’s Nice That. The ninth in his library, the designer felt he had previously “created a range of decorative and experimental typefaces that would appeal to niche audiences”. As a result, Bulk sees the designer creating “something that has a wider appeal but still captures a sense of fun and individuality.”

In order to fulfil his aim of designing a typeface with more general appeal, Daniel “set about creating an extra bold display sans-serif typeface designing for hard-hitting typesetting,” he explains. But of course this is the work of Daniel Reed, so Bulk extenuates the tendencies of a bold typeface, making it heavy, wide and distinct without being too flashy, “pushing the boundaries of how fat you can make a typeface while still retaining legibility”. The designer achieves this in the details, “you can see this come through in the minuscule counters and the near vertical apexes of certain letters,” he points out.

With the intention of being used in circumstances “where you need a powerful lead typeface to take control of copy and wrangle it into shape,” Daniel’s type specimen shows this best, giving you an idea of how it could be used across editorial work, print and branding. The specimen is where the designer shows his playful personality by using a vibrant colour palette and taking the meaning of bulk and applying it to puns such as, “She finished the bulk of her work before dinner which gave her time to relax and watch shit tv,” and also pointing out the technical design of the lowercase K by saying, “That ‘K’ though!”

As always, with typefaces from DR Foundry, Bulk is available at the very reasonable price of £20, so we suggest you follow Daniel’s advice and “Buy in Bulk!!”