Based on Futura, Avant Garde Gothic derives from Herb Lubalin’s and Tom Carnase’s logotype and display lettering for Avant Garde magazine. It was ITC’s first text series, and firmly established the ITC formula for closely fitted designs large in x-height. Arched forms are more nearly circular than in Futura, a feature that makes for uneven textures in the smaller sizes.

In the years after its release, elaborate fitting games could be played with alternative forms of the capitals and were the best known and most misused feature of the series. The fun was curtailed with the introduction of the standard PostScript version.