Graphic Downloads

Monte Stella, originated by Riccardo De Franceschi, is a celebration of Milan’s informal aesthetics and accidental design of the 1950s to 1970s. Inspiration came from public spaces, shop signs, and print design of the era, while the name pays tribute to the artificial mountain in the San Siro district that symbolized the city’s renaissance after World War II. Monte Stella’s letters are constructed and modular, with the purposeful naivety and imperfect feel of vernacular lettering. Narrow proportions give an economical use of space, and a tight, vertical rhythm. Low contrast improves legibility at small sizes, enhancing versatility. The modularity is balanced by the angular curves of letters such as ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘m’, and ‘n’ pulling away from their stems, energizing the texture and grabbing the reader’s attention.