Slab Contrasted Pika 2 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, upright, normal x-height font visually similar to 'Calanda', 'Equip Slab', and 'Shandon Slab' by Hoftype; 'Newslab' by Latinotype; and 'Paul Slab' and 'Paul Slab Soft' by artill (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, packaging, editorial, branding, sturdy, confident, retro, industrial, impact, authority, heritage, readability, display strength, blocky, bracketed, arched terminals, heavy serifs, compact counters.
A heavy slab-serif with broad proportions and pronounced, block-like serifs that read as slightly bracketed rather than razor-sharp. Strokes are robust with restrained modulation, and the joins and curves are generously rounded, giving the forms a chunky, engineered feel. Counters are relatively compact for the weight, while bowls and rounds remain open enough to keep letters distinguishable. Overall spacing looks solid and even, producing a strong typographic color in both all-caps and mixed-case settings.
Best suited to high-impact applications such as headlines, posters, covers, and bold editorial subheads where a dense, confident texture is desirable. It can also work well for branding and packaging that benefits from a sturdy, heritage-leaning slab-serif voice, and for short callouts where the heavy serifs enhance recognition.
The tone is assertive and dependable, with a vintage, print-forward flavor that recalls traditional headline and poster typography. Its mass and squared-off details communicate authority and clarity, while the softened curves keep it approachable rather than harsh.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum presence and legibility at display sizes through substantial slabs, broad letterforms, and controlled contrast. It aims to balance classic slab-serif authority with slightly softened shaping for a more contemporary, friendly usability in bold typographic statements.
Capitals feel especially architectural, with wide, stable stances and emphatic slab feet. The lowercase shows a straightforward, utilitarian construction that maintains consistency with the caps, and the numerals match the same weight and blocky rhythm for cohesive display setting.