Typefaces with a purpose

Most, if not all, registered typefaces have been designed with a specific purpose in mind. Each detail of every typeface has an informed reason whether that is communicating a message as clearly as possible or to convey a memorable aesthetic. 

Dyslexie is a typeface designed to aid dyslexic people in reading and writing, designed by Christian Boer. Dyslexics rotate, invert, exchange or shift letterforms around in their head. Dyslexie makes it easier to distinguish between characters through inconsistent widths and shapes allowing each letter to stand out on its own and not be confused with other letters.

Ecofont is designed to reduced the amount of ink needed to print it by simply reducing the surface area of each letterform, effectively turning the typeface into swiss cheese.

Cisalpin is a typeface designed specifically to work for cartographic uses, e.g. on a map or atlas. The font is cleverly designed ing being narrow and space-saving as well as legible at different sizes, thus making it a perfect front to use on a map.

DPCustomMono is a slightly more complicated typeface designed for proofreading. The emphasis of the typeface is on optimal character recognition which allows text to be scanned, read by a computer and converted into an electronic format. This font is also useful in converting text into speech to aid the blind. It is designed specifically to optimise letterform and glyph differences.

Trace is font designed for helping kids learn how to write. Made up of dotted lines, it creates guidelines on which children follow with pen or pencil. 

Isotype is a universal pictographic language designed to be understood by anyone anywhere in the world. It used familiar images to communicate different aspects of life.

Some typefaces can even be designed, not only with a certain purpose in mind, but also a specific place. Chatype was designed for a place called Chattanooga and aims to reflect their 'artistic and entrepreneurial culture'.

The last example I'll talk about isn't exactly a typeface nor does it have any practical uses. It is a humorous take on the ambiguous scribbles that you often find on a prescription from the doctors.

The purpose and reason for why a typeface has been designed is hugely different for quite a few typefaces. Some are designed purely for practicality and help legibility, readability etc where as others aim to communicate something, whether it be an image, an idea or something even more obscure.