TME > Other > Fonts

Series Logos

Most of the logos used throughout the series have been more graphic design than straight use of typefaces. This page of the guide will therefore be more abstract, but we will try to give indications when the logo is based on an obvious typeface. We will also note variations that are noticeable from the letters seen in the logo.

Franklin Gothic (variant unknown)
Used in the Series
An Unearthly Child — The Moonbase Episode 4
Notes

Whilst the first logo for the series displays many characteristics that point to a variant of Franklin Gothic there are a few aberrations, However, this seems to be the closest match available.
Background

By 1915, all the major foundries offered families of sans serifs, sometimes called Gothic in the USA. Franklin was a response suitable for countries in the vanguard of the machine age. Designed by Morris Benton in 1903-1912, Franklin has preserved its own personality ever since. The ITC Franklin Gothic font family is a redrawing by ITC that keeps the original strength intact, meeting the demand for a strong typeface. ITC Franklin Gothic is better read in display sizes and considered a standard in the newspaper and advertising fields.
Availability

Times (variant unknown)
Used in the Series

The Macra Terror Episode 1 — The War Games Episode Ten
Notes

This logo, although distorted by the video feedback effects, is still recognisable as a variant of Times (or Times New Roman).
Background

Times New Roman first appeared in 1932 in The Times of London newspaper, for which it was designed. It has subsequently become one of the world’s most successful type creations. The original drawings were made under Stanley Morison’s direction by Victor Lardent at The Times. It then went through an extensive iterative process involving further work in the Monotype Type Drawing Office. Based on experiments Morison had conducted using Perpetua and Plantin, Times New Roman has many old style characteristics but was adapted to give excellent legibility coupled with good economy. The Times New Roman font family is narrow in relation to its apparent size, and is strong in color with a crisp and clean appearance. Both Times New Roman and its condensed companion combine vertical and diagonal stress, but achieve utility and even color by a logical and skilful manipulation of both weight and condensation. Widely used in books and magazines, for reports, office documents and also for display and advertising.
Availability

Timelord Solid
Used in the Series

Spearhead from Space Episode 1 — The Green Death Episode 6
Notes

This logo is artwork using a variation of the Futura font.

The C is the standard C from Futura Bold, rather than the one in Timelord Solid.
Background

Timelord was created for Telos publishing's line of DOCTOR WHO novellas by Comicraft. This logo is a variation of the Futura family. The font set contains two versions each of the letters B, D, P, & R; one version with a solid stem and another with an open stem. The capital C does not match the logo font.
Availability

Futura Bold
Used in the Series

The Time Warrior Part One — The Horns of Nimon Part Four
Notes

This logo is artwork using a variation of the Futura font.

The capital W is an artwork variation in the original logo. The W from Timelord Solid is a closer match, but not entirely accurate.
Background

Futura was designed by Paul Renner in 1927, at a time when sans serif faces were advocated for universal acceptance. Futura is based on strict geometric shapes, which give an overall effect of simplicity and clarity. Futura became extremely popular first in Germany and ev–entually in the USA. Futura is a sans serif font based on geometric shapes which became an integral part of the Bauhaus movement of the 1930s. Some researchers have identified the Futura letterforms as Constructivist, probably due to the circles and straight strokes which coincide with the Bauhaus design school concepts, when the whole thinking was industrial. Form and function became the key words, unnecessary decoration was scorned. Issued by the Bauer Foundry in a wide range of font weights and widths, the Futura font family became a popular choice for text and display setting.
Availability

Unavailable

Used in the Series

The Leisure Hive Part One — The Trial of a Time Lord Part Fourteen
Notes

The original logo is artwork based on the Formula One font used for the series titles at the time.

Unavailable

Used in the Series

Time and the Rani Part One — Survival Part Three
Notes

Logo is artwork, no equivilent font available a this time.

Timelord Solid
Used in the Series

Doctor Who (The TV Movie)
Notes
Background
Availability

Platform One
Used in the Series

Rose — ??
Background

Platform One is a fan produced typeface based on Gill Sans Extra Condensed, which is only available commercially in a Bold variant. The leg of the R in this font set is curved, but in the logo artwork this has been straightened. In Platform One the letters K, P and R have been modified to match the typeface used in the logo.
Availability