Google introduces a retro sans-serif typeface combining serifs and roboto

With its Roboto Serif font, Google has brought Serif back with a new version of its Roboto font.

An updated version of the Roboto Sans typeface was created in collaboration with Greg Gazdowicz from Commercial Type.

Google UX manager Rob Giampietro explained that the new font features newly drawn letters that “think about Roboto, but are a new and original design.” Although it makes use of the same vertical proportions as Roboto Sans, the design combines serifs and sans-serifs.

Traditionally, serif fonts are easier to read due to the distinct letter shapes. The latest typeface from Google is a variable font that can be resized to fit different devices.

Vox notes that chunkier, retro-styled serif typefaces will soon be coming back in style with a bang after years of minimalist sans-serif domination.

Google has been using the Roboto font for over a decade now. The font was first introduced with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) as the default font. Since then Roboto has seen several variants.

Google’s primary font Product Sans, however, has steadily taken over Roboto across different products.

Currently, the company only plans on adding Roboto Serif to Google Fonts as simply another variant of the Roboto open-source font family.