In Latin typography, sans serif styles are often divided into recognizable sub-groups—such as humanist, grotesque, and geometric—among several others, each carrying distinct visual and emotional cues. By contrast, Korean and Japanese sans are typically grouped under the broad “Gothic” label, regardless of subtle differences in form or tone. This disconnect makes cross-script pairing between CCJK and Latin type challenging: classification systems don’t align, terminology doesn’t translate, and designers often rely on a narrow set of “safe” options.
This presentation proposes a structured approach to bridge that gap. Instead of directly applying Latin taxonomy, we outline classification criteria for KR/JP sans rooted in their own formal logic—covering aspects such as stroke modulation, proportions, curvature, spatial rhythm, and tonal qualities. These traits are then mapped to Latin sans categories in a way that supports consistent, intentional pairing decisions.
We will also explore how Hangul and kana structures can convey “geometric” or “humanist” impressions depending on skeletal design, curvature, and spacing, and how those impressions influence cross-script harmony. By identifying these underlying attributes, we create a more nuanced pairing vocabulary—one that allows designers to move beyond simple visual matching and towards purposeful, brand-aligned combinations.
Attendees will gain insights and reference points for evaluating KR/JP and Latin sans relationships—perspectives that can inform their own practice and support more confident and diverse cross-script pairings.”
Chorong Kim is a type designer who explores the intersection of design, technology, and culture through her work, teaching, and public talks. She studied type design in France before beginning her professional career at Cadson Demak in Bangkok, and later joined Sandoll in Seoul. Over 10 years there, she contributed as both type designer and design director to projects for major clients such as Naver and IBM, and also managed Sandoll Cloud, the subscription-based font platform, which gave her a broader perspective beyond traditional design practice. Today, she is a Senior Type Designer at Monotype, specializing in Korean and Latin, and works closely with international colleagues to raise the quality of both design and service. She regularly teaches, leads workshops, and speaks at global conferences, including ATypI. Outside her professional life, she is passionate about music—both listening and playing—and is an avid cat lover.
Ryota Doi is a Senior Type Designer at Monotype, where he has contributed since 2015. After completing the MA Typeface Design program at the University of Reading, he began specializing in the development of Japanese typefaces that harmonize with Latin counterparts, supporting clear and cohesive multilingual communication.
His work spans original type design, corporate custom fonts, and typographic consulting. He has played a key role in expanding font families for CJK coverage and supporting global branding initiatives through type.
His designs have been recognized with international awards and are used widely by global brands. Beyond design, Ryota shares his expertise through guest lectures and speaking engagements at conferences in Japan and abroad.
Chorong Kim 
Ryota Doi