Hermann Zapf’s collection of typographic symbols
ITC’s family account credits Hermann Zapf. It says the original selection comprised 360 symbols, ornaments and other typographic elements chosen from more than 1,200 designs. The currently offered Dingbats selection is smaller. This is a symbol design resource rather than an alphabet for setting ordinary words.
Dingbats and Zapf Essentials are distinct resources
The same publisher account identifies Zapf Essentials as a later six-font set with additional symbols. Do not assume a symbol shown in one collection exists in the other. Use the exact family and edition when recording a symbol for a design handoff. The official family page supplies the current glyph view.
Record the symbol and its implementation
Choose a symbol in the actual font and application you plan to use. Record its character mapping rather than copying its visual appearance from an unrelated image. The Unicode text guide explains why copying characters and applying a font are different operations. A similar-looking symbol elsewhere does not by itself establish identical mapping or rendering.
Use ornaments with a clear purpose
For a menu or invitation, begin with one separator, bullet or ornamental marker. Give it sufficient space around nearby text. If the symbol communicates an instruction, include clear words so its meaning is not dependent on recognizing a decorative shape. For related research, see Wingdings and font file types. This page links to the original resource and does not supply Zapf font software.
Your questions, answered.
Who designed Zapf Dingbats?
The publisher credits Hermann Zapf.
Are Zapf Essentials and Zapf Dingbats identical?
No. The publisher describes Essentials as a separate later set with additional symbols.
Sources & background
Sources supporting this page’s explanations. Practical examples are our editorial suggestions.