Monk Latin and Arabic Geometric Typeface Design by Paul Robb

Monk Latin and Arabic Geometric Typeface Design by Paul Robb is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award an Sëlwer in Grafik, Illustratioun a Visuell Kommunikatiounsdesign Competition Category.

SëlwerGrafik· 2020

Monk Latin and Arabic Geometric Typeface Design

by Paul Robb

Client: Salt & Pepper

A' Design Award an Sëlwer Winner in Grafik Category

66,154

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #95978

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Monk Latin and Arabic Geometric Typeface Design

De Mönk sicht e Gläichgewiicht tëscht der Offenheet an der Liesbarkeet vu humanistesche Sans Serif an e méi regulariséierte Charakter vum Quadrat Sans Serif. Obwuel ursprénglech als laténgesch Schrëft entworf gouf, gouf fréi beschloss datt et e breeten Dialog brauch fir eng arabesch Versioun ze enthalen. Béid Latäin an Arabesch designen eis déiselwecht Begrënnung an d'Iddi vun der gemeinsamer Geometrie. D'Stäerkt vum parallellen Designprozess erlaabt déi zwou Sproochen eng equilibréiert Harmonie a Gnod ze hunn. Béid arabesch a laténgesch funktionnéieren nahtlos mat gemeinsame Räimlechkeete, Stammdicke, a gebogen Formen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Sëlwer

Monk Latin and Arabic Geometric Typeface Design ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Sëlwer, enger aussergewéinlech prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un Designe vun der héchster Qualitéit, prächteg a beandrockend vergi gëtt. Sëlwer-Gewënner si bemierkenswäert brillant a ganz kreativ Wierker, déi d'erausragend Expertise, d'Talent an d'Schaarfsënnegkeet vun hire Designer weisen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Monk Latin and Arabic Geometric Typeface Design e wonnerbart, mustergëlteg, bemierkenswäert professionellt an déif innovatiivt Wierk ass. Dëst mam Sëlwer ausgezeechent Design ass eng bemierkenswäert, bewonnert Erfindung, déi dozou bäidréit, d'Grenze vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie ze erweideren. Monk Latin and Arabic Geometric Typeface Design ass eng Kreatioun, op déi vill neidesch sinn, déi Wënsch erweckt, positiv Gefiller bréngt an Erstaunen a Wonner erweckt.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
Team Members: Design direction: Paul Henry Robb
Latin Font: Paul Henry Robb
Arabic Font: Naser Imache - Paul Robb
Design Ass: Tommaso Calderini