3x3 is a typeface

Typeface

In typography, a typeface is the artistic representation or interpretation of characters; it is the way the type looks. Each type is designed and there are thousands of different typefaces in existence, with new ones being developed constantly....

 based on a 3x3 bitmap

Bitmap

In computer graphics, a bitmap or pixmap is a type of memory organization or image file format used to store digital images. The term bitmap comes from the computer programming terminology, meaning just a map of bits, a spatially mapped array of bits. Now, along with pixmap, it commonly refers to...

 matrix. It was created by type designer Anders de Flon, who long refused to release the typeface, due to the large type foundries

Type foundry

A type foundry is a company that designs or distributes typefaces. Originally, type foundries manufactured and sold metal and wood typefaces and matrices for line-casting machines like the Linotype and Monotype machines designed to be printed on letterpress printers...

' demand for only complete typefaces, which means upper and lower case characters, exclamation marks, etc.

The typeface has appeared on several record sleeves; a slightly modified version appears on the cover of LFO's Sheath

Sheath (album)

Sheath is the third album by the British IDM act LFO, originally released on Warp Records in 2003.- Track listing :# "Blown" – 6:02# "Mum-Man" – 3:40# "Mokeylips" – 4:02# "Snot" – 2:55# "Moistly" – 4:12# "Unafraid to Linger" – 4:35...

, designed by The Designers Republic

The Designers Republic

The Designers Republic was a graphic design studio, founded on 14 July 1986 by Ian Anderson, and based in Sheffield, England. It was known for its anti-establishment aesthetics, while simultaneously embracing brash consumerism and the uniform style of corporate brands, such as Orange and Coca-Cola...

.

A similar typeface named 3x3 but not adhering to a 3x3 bitmap matrix was designed by Swiss graphic designer Marc Beekhuis in 2001.