Slab Contrasted Isma 2 is a bold, narrow, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Polyphonic' by Monotype (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, packaging, signage, sports branding, western, industrial, editorial, rugged, confident, impact, legibility, vintage flavor, compact setting, sign-like presence, blocky, bracketed, vertical stress, compact, sturdy.
A compact slab-serif with heavy, squared terminals and sturdy bracketed slabs that read clearly at display sizes. Stems are dense and mostly straight, with only mild rounding at joins; counters are relatively tight and the overall texture is dark and emphatic. Contrast is present but restrained, with weight shifts showing most clearly in curved forms and at the serif connections. The lowercase maintains a traditional, workmanlike skeleton with a two-storey “a” and “g”, short ascenders/descenders, and a slightly condensed set that keeps words tightly packed.
Best suited to headlines, posters, packaging, and signage where a strong, compact voice is needed and the slab serifs can do visual work. It can also support sports branding or bold editorial typography, especially for short bursts of text such as decks, pull quotes, and section headers.
The font conveys a pragmatic, no-nonsense tone with a hint of vintage signage and print ephemera. Its stout slabs and compact proportions feel dependable and assertive, lending a rugged, utilitarian character rather than an elegant or delicate one.
The design appears intended to deliver a forceful slab-serif presence with a condensed footprint, balancing classic serif structure with sturdy, sign-inspired details. It prioritizes impact and legibility through heavy terminals, tight counters, and consistent, workmanlike rhythm.
Numerals are wide-set and punchy with strong horizontal features (notably the tops and bases), matching the letterforms’ blocky rhythm. Capitals have a poster-like solidity, while the lowercase remains readable but maintains the same dense color, making spacing and line length important in longer settings.