Berkeley’s Font

The City of Berkeley has adopted ITC Rennie Mackintosh as its official font since 1996. This font was named after the Scottish architect, artist, and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who was known for his unique and elegant style. ITC Rennie Mackintosh is a sans-serif font that has a clean and modern feel, with simple curves and clean lines that make it easy to read.

You can find this font spread throughout Telegraph Avenue but it is not used exclusively for the city on signage. You can see it mixed in with different fonts on different displays in a pairing or used secondarily. It is also often put on street signage on the top corners in order to sort of add character to the city’s signs for important streets such as Telegraph. The City of Berkeley chose ITC Rennie Mackintosh because it represents the city’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and progressive values. It also reflects the city’s artistic and cultural heritage, which is evident in its vibrant arts scene, cultural events, and diverse population.

You can fi nd the City of Berkeley written in it’s official font on all around the city.

Touch screen standing billboards like these are becoming more common around the growing city.

One of many Telegraph Ave. Roadsigns using the Highway Gothic

Sans-Serif

Sans-serif fonts are a very common sight on buildings and signage along Telegraph Avenue. The clean and modern look of these fonts is well-suited to the vibrant and eclectic atmosphere of this popular street and adds to the character of a hub of arts and culture in Berkeley.

You can find sans-serifs all over storefronts and more often than not they use all capitalized letters and can sometimes be almost interchanged with display fonts by effects such as drop shadows or strokes to them. 1971, with the first of its many stores in Northern California starting right here on Telegraph.

A popular locally owned burger chain that uses organic ingredients!

Zebra is a popular spot for tattoos and piercings, there is always a line outside.

Big Al’s Smoke & Gifts was established in 1992.

This is a popular Bay Area cafe known for their bagels and started as a family business in 1996.

You will find a great example of this at Rasputin Music building with their neon signs using arched neon sans-serif type accompanied with capitalized sans-serif fonts. Rasputin Music is an iconic record store founded in 1971, with the first of its many stores in Northern California starting right here on Telegraph.

Blondie’s Pizza is a local favorite that opened in 1980 and are known for their large pizza slices.