A visual example of the slanted appearance caused by top‑to‑bottom screen refresh, as described by Wichary.
TYPOGRAPHY QUIRKS REVEALED IN MARCIN WICHARY'S 'GOOD TYPE AGAINST ALL ODDS'
*Marcin Wichary dissects hidden typographic tricks in his Unsung newsletter post. The piece exposes how display tech, cultural defaults, and deliberate craft shape the letters we read.*
Marcin Wichary, a veteran of Google, Medium and Figma, uses his Unsung newsletter to spotlight the hidden mechanics of type. In a recent post titled “Good type against all odds,” he walks readers through a gallery of unexpected typographic feats, from slanted italics caused by line‑by‑line screen refreshes to four‑character stadium icons squeezed into a single glyph space. The article blends technical observation with cultural commentary, asking whether conventions like right‑leaning italics are truly optimal or merely inherited habits. Wichary’s deep dive underscores how a designer’s awareness of hardware quirks can turn constraints into creative advantage.
Why does italic slant appear wrong on some displays?
Wichary explains that certain screens refresh line by line from top to bottom. As the horizontal position advances, lower lines are drawn slightly left, creating a slanted look. He likens it to rolling shutter in photography. The effect flips if a display updates bottom‑to‑top, which would reverse the slant. He notes that English and German reading direction makes left‑to‑right scrolling feel natural, reinforcing right‑leaning italics. The convention is cultural, not technical; nothing inherently favors right‑leaning letters beyond habit.
What unexpected typographic tricks did Wichary showcase?
The post lists a series of deliberate quirks. Small caps appear in surprising forms. A 5×7 pixel font renders a train carriage despite severe resolution limits. A stadium icon squeezes four characters into a tight space. Decorative fills expand cramped glyphs. A vertical ligature carved into plastic shows effort beyond software. A thick, slanted NOT demonstrates a choice over underlining. Underlines drop below the baseline, and one example features a three‑dimensional underline. An old typesetting machine hides an easter egg, and a keyboard displays hyphenation where none is expected. Each case illustrates craft thriving within constraints.
How does craft intersect with default technology choices?
Wichary questions whether the slant direction and scrolling behavior are intentional defaults or accidental settings. He argues that knowing these mechanics creates value, fostering a culture that treasures such knowledge. More craft often demands extra work, yet sometimes the right fork in the road yields a free win. The post suggests that intentional design choices can turn technical limitations into aesthetic opportunities, while blind reliance on defaults leaves potential untapped.
Who is behind the Unsung newsletter and why it matters?
Marcin Wichary, the author, has a résumé spanning Google, Medium, and Figma as a UX designer, typographer, front‑end engineer, and manager. He authored a book on keyboards and typing, delivered talks, and published essays on design, typography, and technology. Unsung, his blog, focuses on software craft and quality. The newsletter offers a Friday digest, with RSS, Mastodon, and Bluesky feeds. By sharing these niche typographic discoveries, Wichary reinforces the importance of meticulous design thinking in a world that often overlooks the smallest visual details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rolling shutter effect in typography?
It occurs when a display updates line by line from top to bottom, causing lower lines to be drawn slightly left of earlier lines and producing a slanted appearance.
Which companies has Marcin Wichary worked for?
He has held roles at Google, Medium, and Figma.
Where can readers subscribe to the Unsung newsletter?
The newsletter is available as a Friday digest, via RSS, Mastodon, and Bluesky.
Wichary’s catalog of typographic oddities proves that even the most mundane display quirks can become a canvas for intentional design. By exposing the line‑by‑line refresh effect, the unconventional slants, and the handcrafted glyphs, he forces the industry to reckon with the cost of ignoring low‑level behavior. The lesson is clear: mastery of the underlying technology unlocks aesthetic possibilities that default settings conceal. As software and hardware continue to evolve, the same scrutiny will be required to keep type both functional and delightful.
Sources: Hacker News article 'Good type against all odds' (https://unsung.aresluna.org/good-type-against-all-odds/)