FT Goddard is the first release from FROST’s Numbers (FTNO) project. It was initially inspired by the LED matrix departure boards found across London’s tube stations. The type system began with a 5×5 dot grid used to construct the numeral set. From this foundation, the letterforms were developed to support and reflect the structural logic of the numbers. Beyond transit signage, FT Goddard also draws from the visual language of dot matrix printers, infographics, and other grid-based communication systems.

The family has three core styles: Dim, Bright, and Blur. Each represents a different state of light and clarity. Four intermediate styles, Glow, Flash, Mix, and Pin, support the core and blend or extend it. All styles are built on the same grid, which ensures consistent mono-width spacing and easy interchangeability. Bright was the starting point. From there, the lighter Dim and heavier Blur were developed by scaling the size of the ellipses while keeping a shared central anchor point. This preserves cross-style consistency and mono-width alignment. The intermediate styles are formed by layering the core styles within the grid system. These hybrid forms offer a more expressive and experimental typographic palette.

Like the numerals, the capital letters are designed on a 5×5 grid. This gives both sets consistent mono-width spacing. The lowercase letters break from this strict structure in favour of optical balance. While every glyph adheres to the grid, kerning pairs can extend beyond it to harmonise spacing and improve legibility.

Working within a low-resolution grid introduced clear constraints and inspired creative solutions. The rigid 5×5 framework limited specific shapes but encouraged inventive character construction. A single ellipse added or removed could completely shift a letter’s perception. Several strategies were adopted to make the most of these boundaries. These included removing counters in lowercase letters like a and e, and adjusting ellipse density along the X-axis. Each decision aimed to maximise legibility while staying true to the grid.

Rooted in functional, grid-based systems, FT Goddard is designed for user-facing applications. Its square proportions allow the core styles to render cleanly at small sizes, making them well suited to body copy and interface design. The intermediate styles introduce more texture and variation, making them ideal for headlines, titles, and larger display settings.

FT Goddard includes a comprehensive icon set. To improve usability, OpenType features support an icon ligature system. Simply type the name of an icon, and it will automatically convert into the corresponding symbol.