Bryant is based off the Wrico Lettering Set, a set of pens, rulers and plastic templates that one can trace for use in drafting.
Proxima also takes inspiration from the Federal Highway fonts, and the fact that it was designed (and redesigned, hence the Nova addition) over the course of 27 years gives Proxima Nova an American vernacular quality that is reminiscent of Gotham, only more refined. Helvetica.) It shares the construction, details and stroke constrast of these categories, respectively. Proxima Nova, designed by Mark Simonson, is named for its close proximity to grotesque (ie. It’s likely to be the Helvetica of 2007–08, or better yet, “The New Helvetica.” It’s forms are sturdy, and its character distinct (and I daresay “American,” much like how Gill Sans is “English” or a Fraktur is “German.”) These alternatives, though, are available when you want something different.
Ah, Gotham, the vernacular, everyman sans serif.
