Mosko

All caps. No brakes.

Quick facts

Initial release: 2023

Current version: 1.014

Total styles: 1

Script: Extended Latin

Class: Sans, stencil, display, German

Design features:
Modern proportions
Vertical rhythm
Capital letterforms only
Dark colour

OpenType features:
Localized forms
Smart fractions

Stylistic sets:
ss01 · Round M W
ss02 · Round K X
ss03 · Asymmetrical U
ss04 · Lowercase N
ss05 · Lining ¿ ¡

Credits:
Reese Lee—type design and production

The story of Mosko

Mosko is inspired by the political division of separated East/West Berlin during the Cold War. It’s designed for large display use, features chunky stencil-like construction, and has a heavy presence. Use Mosko. Be heard.

The design is inspired by a restaurant logo from Berlin, which operated during the era of Soviet occupation. The name “Mosko” is an anagram of the restaurant’s original moniker “KOSMOS”, alluding to the history it stands on.

The fall of the Berlin Wall took place amid a wave of revolutions across Soviet territories, denoting the start of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. This highly political era inspired Mosko’s bold assertive appearance. The entire typeface is divided down the centre, just like the Berlin Wall divided an entire city into segregated areas. Its glyphs are constructed using shared pieces. This isn’t dictated by a formula but rather by necessity (similar to a group of revolutionaries openly sharing resources amongst each other).

The lack of lowercase is an intended choice since Mosko is not meant to be used quietly. It demands to be screamed into the world—adorned on a cardboard sign or painted across a wall.