The term “elemental approach” is used in this exceptional essay to describe an approach to design that seeks to reduce and rationalize the characteristics of the Latin alphabet. Aoife Mooney acquaints us with the technologies, ideologies and ergonomic considerations which are at the core of this approach, illustrating each with effective visual examples. Along the way, she makes astute observations of rationalism, modernism and the accountability of the designer – in general, and specifically in type design.