Syne
Originally created by Lucas Descroix of Bonjour Monde for the Parisian art center Synesthesie, Syne is a geometric sans-serif with unusually condensed vertical proportions — short ascenders, descenders, and uppercase letters — giving it a sturdy yet approachable character. Its weight range is conceived as an exploration of synaesthesia in type design, making it a natural fit for creative studios, cultural institutions, and contemporary art brands. The family spans five upright weights with Latin and Greek support.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 0123456789
About Syne
- Designer
- Lucas Descroix
- Foundry
- Bonjour Monde
- Released
- 2017
- License
- SIL Open Font License 1.1
- Category
- Display
- Recommended Weight
- 700
- Variable Axes
- weight
- Script Support
- Latin, Greek
- Available Weights
- 400500600700800
Pairs Well With
Inter
Inter’s neutral, highly legible forms let Syne’s avant-garde personality command attention in headlines without friction in the body text.
Compare side by sideWork Sans
Work Sans’ straightforward geometric structure pairs naturally with Syne’s condensed proportions for a clean, modern layout.
Compare side by sideSpace Grotesk
Space Grotesk shares Syne’s geometric DNA but with wider proportions, creating a harmonious yet differentiated pairing for tech-creative brands.
Compare side by sideSimilar Fonts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the origin of the name Syne?
Syne is derived from Synesthesie, the Parisian art center for which the typeface was originally commissioned. The name reflects the font’s conceptual basis in synaesthesia — the blending of senses — which informed its unique approach to weight as an expressive dimension.
Why does Syne have such short ascenders and descenders?
The condensed vertical proportions are a deliberate design choice that gives Syne a compact, sturdy presence. This makes it especially effective for tightly spaced headlines and display settings where vertical economy is valuable without sacrificing character recognition.
Is Syne appropriate for UI text or only display use?
Syne works best at display sizes where its distinctive proportions and geometric flair can shine. For UI body text, its condensed vertical metrics can feel cramped; pairing it with a more conventional sans-serif like Inter for body text is recommended.