Monk Latin and Arabic Geometric עיצוב גופן

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Monk is a multi-language geometric harmoniously balanced font in Arabic and Latin. The font family has its origins from the Benedictine and Franciscan writing. Both Arabic and Latin work seamlessly together having shared counters, stem thickness, and curved forms. Monk is a type family that seeks a balance between the openness and legibility of humanist sans serifs. Letterforms have a distinct direction of the ductus, a wide overall stance, large open counters that help in its legibility.

Dimensions & Packaging

True Type and Open Source Font

Tags

Typeface design, Font Design, Font Family, Monk, Graphic typeface

Production Technology

Designed and produced in Fontographer

Design Challenge

The challenge was to create a modern typeface based on the historical research.

Research

The Monk font family has its origins from the Benedictine and Franciscan writing. The initial research was based around the ancient text stored in and around Umbria in central Italy. Analyzing the form and structure of the monk's letter we created a modern approach to the forms creating repeatable geometric curves, which were applied first to create the Latin font. With a concept of open discussion through the religions, the next logical step for us was to develop those design rationals to Arabic lettering with the development of two harmonious fonts.

Inspiration

The font family has its origins from the Benedictine and Franciscan writing. Originally designed as a Latin typeface it was quickly seen that we needed to open a wider dialogue and expand the font to include an Arabic version, using the same rationale to the design. The strength of the parallel design process allows the two typeset languages to have balanced harmony and grace.

Project Duration

The Project started in 2017 and finish in September 2018, in Perugia Italy.

Operation Flow

Our underlying concept was to develop a font that could communicate harmoniously in Arabic and Latin that was constructed with shared geometry. When used in an Arabic text western words would be seamlessly intergraded in the text.

Patents

© Paul Henry Robb, Salt & Pepper 2018

Image Credits

© Paul Henry Robb, Salt & Pepper