I released Mixolydian on February 20, 2012. The design was based on American industrial lettering traditions such as the Federal Highway Administration Standard alphabets and drafting templates, which contrasted with the more widely known European models like DIN. My aim was to explore the plain, utilitarian qualities of U.S. sources and treat them as a basis for a text-oriented sans rather than as display material alone.

The name came from music theory. I was learning about musical modes at the time, and “Mixolydian” appealed to me for its sound and rhythm. The family was drawn to serve in both text and display contexts, with proportions that could adapt across sizes. A companion called Mixolydian Titling was also released, consisting of an all-caps style available under a free desktop license. Structurally it was consistent with the main family, differing only in its casing.

I have not seen Mixolydian used in notable projects. On November 25, 2024, I updated the family by refining curves, reorganizing weight names, and improving vertical metrics. The core design stayed the same, but the family became more consistent and easier to use. Mixolydian remains a paid release, with Titling continuing to be free.