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In creating this CSS typeface, I was inspired by ASCII art and malware art. Many early examples of computer viruses weren’t malicious, but instead humorous, cheeky, absurd, and playful. Hackers simply wanted to convey a message into other people’s computers (albeit forcefully) and were taking delight in what was possible through code.

ASCII Type was created using ASCII characters and colors reminiscent of the command window (where early malware art often revealed itself). The scrolling and flashing effects emulate the gaudiness of pop-up windows and the confrontational nature of viruses.

There are also a series of subtle interactions that users can find within the typeface, including hover effects, highlighting effects, and responsive color changes. The subtlety of the interactions contrasts with the bright flashiness of other aspects of the page. The interactivity brings a small amount of agency into the malware-art-experience, which wasn’t present in the real thing. You can interact with the typeface, here.