Colophon

The Mark

Look closely at the mark. Two books, stacked and angled, form the letter S for Supercritical. The shape emerged from a simple conviction: even as screens multiply and attention fragments, books remain worth making, worth holding, and worth the shelf space they occupy.

The logo was sketched in house and executed in Adobe Illustrator by Jawad Zelmadi in 2025. We wanted something that could work at any size, from a spine to a favicon, without losing what it represents.

Colors

Our palette is restrained. Deep Navy carries the text, Supercritical Blue is the mark, Ink Blue marks emphasis, and Paper keeps the page warm and open. Each book adds one accent color, drawn from its cover.

Typography

Headlines and the questions our books start from are set in Newsreader, a serif drawn for long reading on screens. Everything else is set in Karla, a quiet sans serif that stays out of the way.

Our print books use typefaces selected for extended reading, with classical proportions and modern refinements that reward sustained attention.

Design Philosophy

Design should serve content. Every element on this site exists to help readers find books worth their time, then step aside so the ideas can do their work.

We took our cues from academic publishers who have been doing this for decades. The goal is simple: get you to the book.

Why "Supercritical"?

In physics, a supercritical state occurs when a substance transforms under pressure into something entirely new, neither liquid nor gas, but a distinct phase with unique properties.

We chose this name because that is what the best nonfiction does to readers. It changes how you think, not just what you think about. The books we publish create a phase transition in understanding.

Accessibility

We want this site to be usable for all readers. The design supports keyboard navigation, works with screen readers, and maintains strong contrast.

If you encounter any accessibility issues, please contact us.