Grilli Type recently augmented the GT America Intl typeface with the intent of making it a universal font. The modification process, spearheaded by co-founder Noël Leu, involved an in-depth study of various writing systems, revealing interesting facts about the linguistic complexity of different cultures. The insights drove the firm’s ambition to evolve GT America Intl into a global font.
GT America, launched in 2016, originally consisted of 84 styles across six widths and seven weights. It achieved popularity due to its adaptability and wide range of styles. In a push for global use, Grilli Type incorporated Cyrillic, Greek, and Vietnamese scripts, further diversifying the font’s appeal.
The ambition didn’t stop there. Grilli Type, in collaboration with linguistic experts, broadened the typeface design to include Vietnamese, Greek, and Cyrillic languages.
Augmenting GT America Intl for universal appeal
They also successfully integrated design patterns suitable for Thai and Arabic alphabets. This led to the curation and integration of diverse script systems, including symbols, and punctuation marks, fostering a new appreciation for non-Latin typography.
Fast forward to 2026, and GT America Intl was released, signifying Grilli Type’s most adaptable typographic system. This version includes Arabic, Devanagari, Hebrew, Korean, and Thai scripts. It reduces the traditional dependence on Latin forms, enabling a greater diversity of linguistic representation, positioning it as a significant advancement in the typeface design world.
Grilli Type’s initial release of GT America Intl substantiates their global standing and emphasizes their determination to push beyond traditional design boundaries. From his base in Tokyo, Leu voiced his desire for the company to be part of the global design community.
In the spirit of authenticity, Grilli Type collaborated with external consultants and international designers to craft the new scripts. These designers, proficient in their native languages, modified the GT America style to tailor it to each unique script, resulting in a typeface that is visually captivating and linguistically accurate for the intended readers.
