Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 3, 2026

Ad Lib (typeface)

Ad Lib is a display typeface designed in 1961 by Freeman Craw for American Type Founders. The typeface was allegedly inspired by Harold Adler's design for the 1958 film Bonjour Tristesse. Filmotype also designed a narrow variant, Filmotype Pioneer and a wider variant, Filmotype Moose.

Last revised
Jun 3, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
153 w
Citations
6
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Ad Lib
CategoryDisplay
DesignerFreeman Craw
FoundryATF
Date released1961
Re-issuing foundriesBitstream Inc.
Design based onthe work of title designer and calligrapher Harold Adler

Ad Lib is a display typeface designed in 1961 by Freeman Craw for American Type Founders. The typeface was allegedly inspired by Harold Adler's design for the 1958 film Bonjour Tristesse.12 Filmotype also designed a narrow variant, Filmotype Pioneer3 and a wider variant, Filmotype Moose.4

Originally released with two variants for many characters,5 the digital versions seen today offer only one variant.2

References

References

  1. Bradley, Susan (January 26, 2016). Harold Adler talks about title design & film production for Saul Bass. Vimeo (Video).
  2. "Ad Lib in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  3. "Filmotype Pioneer in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  4. "Filmotype Moose in use". Fonts In Use. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  5. McGrew 1993, p. 3.
Further reading

Further reading

  • McGrew, Mac (1993). American Metal Typefaces of the Twentieth Century (2nd revised ed.). New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Books. ISBN 0-938768-34-4.