The initial motivation for creating Botanika was the desire to develop a text version of the Magion typeface. Although the characters were initially drawn with the same proportions, they were subsequently modified to improve readability. The typeface retains some characteristic features of its source, such as the upper ascender serif of the letter “i” and a similar lower oustroke serif of the letter “l”. Reducing the x-height has given this family a new and original character. The italics are slightly narrower than the regular style without losing the upright’s austere elegance, and they are distinctive enough to stand out in the text. Alternative characters can enliven the text or, conversely, soften headlines by using more traditional letterforms.
The Mono version is a monospace font with a 10-point pitch. This means that at 10 pt, 10 characters fit exactly within the width of one inch, so individual letters occupy 60% of the em width. This family also includes a corresponding italic version.
Despite its lower x-height, the typeface is reliably used for typesetting medium- to long-length texts. Its slightly archaic feel adds a touch of uniqueness to the text. If you’re looking for an alternative to cold, neutral sans-serif typefaces, Botanika is the proven choice.