TRAX Font

A modular geometric sans-serif inspired by local train signage.

Years ago, I rode the light rail commuter train everyday to downtown Salt Lake City, Utah for work. Each rail car contains a dynamic, analog signage system with bright yellow text on a dark background. These signs accommodate one line of text and are used to display the name of the next stop. The yellow letters are made of geometric shapes that fit into a 5x3 grid. Here’s a photo of one of the displays.

Photo of the original signage.

As you may have already guessed, this public train system is called TRAX.

As a designer and amateur typeface designer, I was drawn in by the simple geometric shapes that were used to produce the letters. I committed to follow the original 5x3 grid as one of my primary design constraints. I also committed to only use basic geometric shapes that fit each square of the grid.

Thanks for looking! Let me know if you have any questions!