Author
Laura Meseguer

Creation
2025

Actual version
1

Styles
5

Character sets
Basic Latin
Latin-1 Supplement
Latin-2 Central European
Latin Plus

License Types
Desktop, Webfont, ePub, App, Server

Description

Placa is Laura’s typographic interpretation of the most prevalent lettering style found on Barcelona’s street signs. The development of the PLACA typeface family took place in two distinct phases, beginning as a specific commission for the documentary ‘Barcelona. The Rose of Fire’ in collaboration with Mariona Omedes of Nueve Ojos and Media Pro’s production team, directed by Manuel Huerga. 

The objective was to create a typeface that represented Barcelona. The key question was: Which typeface would best represent the city?. At the time, and still today, Barcelona lacked a clear and strong typographic identity. Inspiration came from the streets of Barcelona were Laura identified that the predominant typeface in signage was a condensed geometric sans serif. The result was an incised sans serif typeface, designed with stylistic details that make it stand out in display use while remaining functional and readable.

Years later, Laura decided to revitalize Rosa de Foc, expanding it into a complete typeface family. The PLACA family now ranges from Fina to Gruixuda weights and includes a Variable Font, improving its performance in small sizes and on screens. It is also used as a custom typeface on her personal website. The name Placa, meaning “Plate” in both Spanish and Catalan, was chosen in a conversation with Ferran from Toormix.

Tags
Sans, Display, Text, On Screen, Editorial Design, Incise, Branding