Public-Sans: Feature: Additional Axes (ITAL, WDTH, OPSZ, GRAD)

[chloe-pfr]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

The current iteration of the Public Sans Variable Font comes in a Roman and Italic version, a file for each, respectively. The only supported axis in each of these files is the weight. Other properties aren't accessible, either, like Optical Sizing or Width, which could increase the utility of this font. This also means I can't easily animate or container query these properties, other than the weight, which would be helpful.

Describe the solution you'd like

In the next version of Public Sans, it would be wonderful if more axes could be made accessible, specifically:

• Italic (ITAL) :: Move from Roman to Italic, or specify the drama of the Italic within a single file.
• Grading (GRAD) :: for accessibility, easier reading, depending on the light/dark mode CSS-Tricks - Adjust a variable font’s grade axis
• Width (WDTH) :: Enable Narrow and Wide variants of the font, and the ability to easily move between them.
• Optical Sizing (OPSZ) :: Really just fine tuning

Describe alternatives you've considered

I've personally considered other fonts like Helvetica Now Variable ($$$$), or adding the features myself (I don't have that kind of skill), but neither seemed tenable.

I fully acknowledge this is a massive ask, but I also think it would make a much better Public Sans for everyone, including The GSA.

Additional context

No response

Code of Conduct

• I agree to follow this project's Code of Conduct.
• I checked the current issues for duplicate feature requests.

[chloe-pfr]

Quick update for those looking for additional axes. I have moved over to Inter by Rasmus Andersson, which supports weight and a decent scale of optical sizing. It doesn't support italicizing, width, or grading, but it still checks enough boxes.

I still think Public-Sans is a great typeset, am so happy it exists, and hope to use it in a different project someday. And I wish the USWDS team, and those who have departed, all the best!