Westside™ was designed by Adrian Frutiger in 1989 and can be classified as a "wood type." It is reminiscent of dusty streets, Wild West heroes and swinging saloon doors. The origins of wood types are found in the early nineteenth century, when such types really were cut in wood, and printed on hand presses. Westside has big fat serifs and heavy horizontals that are much thicker than the skinny vertical strokes. When the letters are set together, the heavy serifs build dark horizontal bands.
As most of Frutiger's other fonts are serious text faces and modern classics, one might be surprised that he turned his vision sideways and designed this playful, spirited typeface. But Frutiger has always been interested in patterns, and the kind of pattern that a wood type creates must have been irresistible to this consummate designer. Use Westside at large point sizes to create a distinctive effect in headlines for banners, posters, and magazines. Ride 'em, cowboy!
