Three main aspects distinguish 29LT Okaso and Ada type projects: 1st, intriguing research topics. 2nd, bi-script creative design process, and 3rd, use of the latest available type technology (Variable Fonts and Advanced Opentype) to best render the fonts.
Looking at the starting point and the final visual outcome, the two projects presented could not be more varied. Okaso is a constructed Kufic inspired by a vernacular archive of non-scholar writing, while Ada is a fluid Ruqaa drawn under the critical eye of a master calligrapher.
Nevertheless, they share a lot of similarities under the hood: both projects use Arabic as a starting point that is joined by a Latin companion, designed through dialog. Both scripts infuse each other during the process and challenge the way we would “normally” do things on both ends. The unconventional Latin design solutions would not have manifested in their unique ways without the inspiration from the Arabic. A Latin baseline with a slant, a different approach to a semi-serif, a stretch horizontal axis, contextual alternates, advanced contextual elevation kerning are some of the fun aspects that distinguish these projects. Existing type models get reshuffled and set typographic parameters get challenged while staying true to the respective script.
Each of the type projects exist as a type system in itself with 3 main styles in each. The Okaso superfamily is created from a Geometric, a Cursive, and a Slanted set of fonts, while the Ada superfamily contains a Sharp, a Flat, and a Round variation. These diverse styles behave as unique typographic hierarchical tools for typographers.
Driven by an interest to find contemporary solutions to long-existing forms – a challenge that asks for new approaches and rethinking existing models.
Speaker
Linda Hintz
Linda Hintz is an independent type and graphic designer. She graduated from the Type and Media Masters at The Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague, Netherlands and holds a Diploma in Visual Communication from HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. Before going free solo she spent some years at Monotype, where she amongst other projects revived classics like Neue Plak together with Toshi Omagari or Praxis Next with Gerard Unger. Pouf, a side project in the making can be found on Future Fonts. Based in Copenhagen with her family, she is occasionally teaching anything around type design and typography.
Pascal Zoghbi is a Lebanese designer and educator with a Master of Design in Type & Media from KABK. He founded 29LT digital type foundry in 2013. Building on a cross-cultural approach, he has developed an outstanding collection of contemporary multiscript typefaces. Having moved to Madrid in 2018, he expanded 29LT’s focus on Arabic and Latin scripts to embrace a global multiscript approach that taps into other world scripts. Zoghbi taught for ten years at various design schools in Lebanon and in the UAE. Internationally renowned, he has received prestigious design awards, such as TDC, Granshan, AIGA, and was nominated for Jameel Prize 3. He also co-authored and edited the “Arabic Graffiti” book.
Toshi is an independent typeface designer in London. He graduated from the Visual Communication Design course at Musashino Art University in Tokyo in 2008 and the MA Typeface Design program at the University of Reading in 2011. Since he joined Monotype in 2012, he has released a number of revivals of forgotten classics such as Metro Nova, The Berthold Wolpe Collection, and Neue Plak, while also working on custom typefaces for clients such as H&M and Sir Quentin Blake. He now runs his own studio. His experience with writing systems goes beyond Latin, including Cyrillic, Greek, Arabic, Tibetan, and Mongolian. Toshi is also an avid gamer, and has written Arcade Game Typography, a specimen book of pixelated typefaces from retro arcade games. Inspired by the old game fonts, Toshi has started Tabular Type Foundry that releases monospaced typefaces only. He also runs Omega Type Foundry for non-monospaced fonts. His other hobbies include blades and knives, Rubik’s cube, and shrimp keeping.
Linda Hintz 
Pascal Zoghbi 
Toshi Omagari