Store Norske Funksjon - Geometric display colour typeface inspired by Oslo shop front lettering, modularly constructed for bold, playful designs.

About

Store Norske Funksjon is a geometric display colour typeface that celebrates traditional shop front lettering. Drawing inspiration from the distinctive alphabets featured in Moderne Vindusreklame, a 1933 guide to window decoration by chief decorator Knut Schjefstad, Funksjon brings a sense of playful modernism rooted in Oslo’s visual culture. The roots of Schjefstad’s alphabet can be traced to an earlier design by Eric Mollowitz, which Schjefstad adapted to align with the functional and aesthetic needs of Norwegian retailers. Moderne Vindusreklame, along with its lettering alphabets, played a central role in the education offered by the Oslo Vocational School for Commerce, instilling creativity in the designers of the time.

Funksjon’s forms are constructed entirely from primary shapes: circles, squares, and triangles. This strict geometric underpinning yields letterforms that are lively and approachable, while maintaining a sense of rational order. The colour version introduces a dynamic, layered system: each letter is split into two halves (left and right), with each half available as a separate cut. By layering these cuts and assigning different colours, designers can create striking, multi-coloured arrangements that add depth and vibrancy. For a lighter, more transparent effect, the Open style provides a single-cut outline that traces the full contour of each letter. The Natt and Dag styles offer a further twist: each letter presents one side open and one side closed, enabling unique two-sided shapes in a single colour.

Funksjon’s clean geometry, modular construction, and playful colour system make it ideally suited for eye-catching posters, contemporary branding, and editorial projects seeking a bold, playful spirit with a modern geometric flair.

The Store Norske Funksjon Typeface font is designed by Arve Båtevik

Store Norske Funksjon is designed by Arve Båtevik.