Editing Optima (section)

==Structure==
Optima's design follows humanist lines; its capitals (like those of [[Palatino]], Hans Eduard Meier's [[Syntax (typeface)|Syntax]] and [[Carol Twombly|Carol Twombly's]] [[Trajan (typeface)|Trajan]]) originate from the classic [[Roman square capitals|Roman monumental capital model]], reflecting a reverence for Roman capitals as an ideal form.

Optima is an example of a modulated-stroke sans-serif, a design type where the strokes are variable in width. The design style has been intermittently favored since the late nineteenth century; Optima is one of the most lasting examples of the genre. Optima was originally targeted by Stempel's Walter Cunz as a competitor to Ludwig & Mayer's Colonia design, which has not been digitised.<ref>{{cite web|title=Optima|url=https://www.myfonts.com/fonts/linotype/optima/|publisher=Linotype|access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Colonia type specimen">{{cite web|title=Colonia type specimen|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/winkelhaken/8333977418/|website=Flickr|date=January 2013 |publisher=Ludwig & Mayer|access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> Shaw also suggests the little-known 1948 design Romann Antiqua, as well as Stellar by [[Robert Hunter Middleton]] as predecessors, and notes the existence of Pascal by [[José Mendoza y Almeida]] (1962) as a design with a similar set of influences.<ref name="About More Alphabets review" /><ref name="Joachim Romann">{{cite web|title=Joachim Romann|url=http://www.klingspor-museum.de/KlingsporKuenstler/Schriftdesigner/Romann/JRomann.pdf|publisher=Klingspor Museum|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="Pascal ND">{{cite web|last1=Mendoza|first1=José|title=Pascal ND|url=http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/neufville/pascal-nd/|publisher=Neufville|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref><ref name=Stellar>{{cite web|title=Stellar|url=http://www.fonts.com/font/monotype/stellar|website=Fonts.com|publisher=Monotype|access-date=29 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Stellar Speice">{{cite web|last1=Speice|first1=Jim|title=Stellar|url=http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/spiecegraphics/stellar-classic-sg/|website=MyFonts|publisher=Speice Graphics|access-date=9 September 2015}}</ref> Optima is however quite restrained in stroke width variation; more display-oriented predecessors such as [[Britannic (typeface)|Britannic]] show far more differentiation in stroke width than Optima does.

Optima's sloped version was originally an [[Oblique type|oblique]] or sloped roman, in which the letters do not take on handwriting characteristics. For Optima nova (discussed below) Zapf decided to create a new [[Italic type|true italic]] with a greater slant angle.

During late development of Optima, Zapf also began working on a non-modulated sans for Linotype, to be named Magnus and intended to compete with [[Gill Sans]]. It has never been released.