Pan-Pacific: An Art Deco Font Rises from the Ashes

Pan-Pacific is a new Art Deco font.

Artist David Occhino has created a new art deco font inspired by the lovely Pan-Pacific Auditorium.

Those who lived in the Los Angeles area will fondly remember the majestic structure near Beverly Hills. Designed and built in 1935, this Southern California landmark was perhaps the finest example of Streamline Moderne architecture. The four soaring aircraft-fin towers at its entrance were a unique architectural element which greatly influenced art deco design.

The grand, elegant structure hosted many cultural events including concerts, sporting events and presidential campaigns. But the fortunes of the building took a turn for the worse in 1972, when the larger Los Angeles Convention Center was built: the Pan-Pacific Auditorium was closed shortly thereafter. Sadly, after years of neglect, the historic landmark was damaged by several fires in the 1980s and was completely destroyed by an intense blaze in 1989.

"The loss of that historic landmark made me sad," remembers Occhino, who was teaching in California the year of the final fire. "It was a joy to be able to bring back to life the lettering that once graced the entrance to that lovely, old building."

Art deco design enthusiasts will appreciate Occhino's efforts. The Pan-Pacific typeface is an authentic, classy design featuring four elegant styles. "The Antique version is my favorite," noted Occhino. "Pan-Pacific Antique features distressed edges which simulate an elegant, hand-lettered look that looks great in art deco layouts."

A single-user, non-commercial license for the Pan-Pacific font can be purchased for $30 from the David Occhino Design FontShop. Occhino has also designed a limited-edition poster to commemorate the development of the typeface.