EXP Sans

The brand typeface for House of EXP. A derivative of Nimbus Sans L, mutated with grotesque personality.

Status: WIP - Regular, Italic, and Bold v1.002 ready for visual review.

Quick Start

make setup      # Download base font, create .venv, install deps
make build      # Generate Regular, Italic, and Bold in all four formats
make test       # Validate structure and metrics
make clean      # Remove generated output

Project Structure

sources/              # UFO master files (gitignored base font + committed mutations)
scripts/mutations/    # Python mutation scripts (sequential, replayable)
build/                # Build pipeline scripts
output/               # Generated font files (gitignored)
tests/                # Structural and metric validation
okf/                  # Project knowledge (decisions, usage, implementation)
docs/adr/             # Architecture Decision Records

Consuming the Font

npm install @expresearch/exp-sans

@import '@expresearch/exp-sans/exp-sans.css';

body {
  font-family: 'EXP Sans', sans-serif;
}

strong { font-weight: 700; }
em { font-style: italic; }

Agent Workflow

Terminology: Read CONTEXT.md first. It defines the domain language: base, mutation, master, character set vs glyph inventory, and testing layers.

Design decisions: See docs/adr/ for hard-to-reverse choices and their rationale.

Mutation convention:

• One mutation = one Python script in scripts/mutations/
• Sequential numbering: 0001-keep-nimbus-double-story-a.py
• Each commit = script + UFO changes + OKF log entry + passing tests
• Trunk-based on main, linear history

Glyph shape changes: Via defcon scripts (path topology is fragile, needs validation).
Metrics/kerning: Direct XML editing in UFO plist files.

Design Direction

EXP Sans targets a hybrid direction: Swiss skeleton, grotesque personality.

• Base: Nimbus Sans L (Helvetica-derived, neutral canvas)
• Styles: Regular source master, 12° Italic derivative, 700 Bold derivative
• Terminals: Flat on verticals, angled on curves
• Glyph mutations: Open e, softened g/f, curved l, splayed R, wedge G, sweeping Q (the a keeps its Nimbus double-story form)
• Proportions: Nimbus Sans L foundation with concentrated asymmetry
• Stroke contrast: Low (grotesque tradition)
• Inspirations: AutoSpawn (fork-and-mutate approach), Work Sans (quirky details), TeX Gyre Heros (glyph smoothness), Young Serif (restrained rounded generosity, no copied outlines)

See docs/adr/0003-hybrid-direction.md for the full rationale.

License

OFL 1.1 with Reserved Font Name "EXP Sans". See LICENSE.

Further Reading

• CONTEXT.md — Domain terminology and project glossary
• okf/project.md — Project overview and scope
• okf/usage.md — Where EXP Sans is used
• okf/implementation.md — Build pipeline and tooling
• docs/adr/ — Architecture Decision Records