Sans Superellipse Higan 12 is a very bold, narrow, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'ATF Alternate Gothic' by ATF Collection, 'Midnight Sans' by Colophon Foundry, 'Folio EF' by Elsner+Flake, 'Neusa Neu' by Inhouse Type, 'Folio' by Linotype, 'Manual' and 'Palo' by TypeUnion, and 'Folio' by URW Type Foundry (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, signage, packaging, sports branding, industrial, poster, condensed, assertive, utilitarian, space saving, maximum impact, bold branding, sturdy legibility, blocky, compact, square-rounded, heavyweight, tight spacing.
A compact, heavy sans with strongly condensed proportions and rounded-rectangle (superellipse) construction. Strokes are uniformly thick with minimal modulation, and curves resolve into broad, squared counters and softened corners rather than true circles. Terminals are blunt and mostly flat, producing a sturdy, blocklike silhouette; the uppercase is tall and columnar while the lowercase follows the same compact geometry with short extenders. Numerals are similarly dense and rectangular, matching the font’s tight rhythm and emphatic color on the page.
Best suited to headlines, posters, and short bursts of text where maximum impact is needed in limited horizontal space. It performs well for signage, packaging, and bold branding systems that benefit from a compact, sturdy sans, and it can add a hard-edged, athletic or industrial feel to display typography.
The overall tone is forceful and pragmatic, with an industrial, no-nonsense voice. Its compressed width and dark typographic color feel attention-grabbing and confident, leaning toward bold signage and poster typography rather than delicate editorial setting.
The design appears intended to deliver high-impact display typography with efficient width, using superelliptical shapes to keep forms friendly while maintaining a rugged, blocky presence. The consistent stroke weight and tight proportions suggest a focus on clarity and punch in large sizes and high-contrast applications.
Round letters (such as O/C) read more like softened squares, and joins/counters stay roomy enough to remain legible despite the heavy weight. The condensed fit and strong vertical emphasis create a consistent, punchy texture in all-caps and mixed-case settings.