Severance (TV series)
Manifold Extended CF for the Lumon Industries logo in concrete
Manifold Extended CF is recurringly used in the TV series Severance. Created by Dan Erickson and directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle, it premiered on Apple TV+ on February 18, 2022. From Wikipedia:
A sinister technology corporation, Lumon Industries, uses a “severance” medical procedure to separate the non-work memories of some of their employees from their work memories. One severed employee, Mark, gradually uncovers a web of conspiracy from both sides of the division.
Manifold Extended CF is used as the Lumon corporate logo, for signs and wayfinding. It has miscellaneous appearances in the show, social media, and website. It’s often paired with Forma DJR as part of Lumon Industries’ corporate design.
The fan site Severance Wiki has an extensive page about the typography in the show. Many of the images reproduced here come from that site.
Manifold Extended CF with Neue Helvetica for “Input Survey Preamble”
Manifold Extended CF for the wax figure name plaques
Manifold Extended CF for signs at Lumon HQ
Manifold Extended CF for signs at Lumon HQ
Manifold Extended CF for a menu
Forma DJR on the Security Office Protocol Quick Start Guide
Forma DJR for an apology note given to an “outie” after they sustained an injury while on the SVR’D floor
Forma DJR on the Senior Refiner Morning Checklist
Input Sans is used for the text of the Compunction Statement, seen during Helly R.’s visit to the Break Room.
All-caps Input Sans, mirrored
Optima appears on the spines of the Compliance Handbook volumes kept beneath the Kier Eagan portrait in the Macrodata Refinement department.
Scriptorama Tradeshow JF is used on the “Lumon Recycles!” recycling bin that appears in the “Good News About Hell” episode.
10 Comments on “Severance (TV series)”
Thanks so much Connary for posting this here…proud to have Forma show up alongside Manifold Extended in so much of the show!
This is by no means a central use, but also wanted to report that Bungee also makes a tiny appearance in Episode 6 on some posters at the rock show they attend (thanks Bruno for finding this!)
Great article and a great series. Love the use of type and branding throughout the show. The attention to detail throughout makes Lumon feel all the more *real*.
One question, does anyone know what typeface(s) are used for the computer UI (as in those used in the MDF office)? I tried recreating a rough version of the UI using Forma but it seems to be something wider and more geometric, certainly for the numbers.
Rory, do you have a sample of the typeface in question? Or a link to a clip?
Hi Florian, it’s quite difficult to get a very clear image of the type in question as the computer screens are fairly low resolution and slightly warped due to the curved nature of the monitor, but the following links are about as clear an example as I can find:
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From having a quick look around, the numbers are certainly similar to something like Filson Pro with some subtle differences. The text across the top of the screen could well be Forma DJR as well as it looks similar from my testing too.
I agree, the text at the top appears to be Forma DJR, considering that it is used elsewhere, too.
For the numbers: my money is on Gotham, see its numerals here.
The opening credits sequence is – I think – an homage to Peter Saville’s work on the cover and inside cover Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division.
I’ve been rewatching season 1 and noticed a brief Acme Gothic use on the gig poster. It’s partially obscured, but I believe it’s for a band called “ABRUMPO,” which means “separated” in Latin.
Has anyone been able to find the font they use in the MDR Orientation Booklet? Antonia Variable is the closest but it’s not exactly right. MDR Orientation Booklet screenshot
You can see all of these gig posters on Sarah Rae Davidson’s site for a clearer look at them.
Caitlin, are you asking about this one? That’s Franziska.