As multilingual support becomes increasingly important in a globalized world, the challenge of working with CCJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) scripts persists. These writing systems, with their vast character sets and intricate design principles, present unique complexities. While advancements in technology have facilitated the management of large character sets, significant quality issues and knowledge gaps remain within the type design industry. This presentation will address these challenges through insights gained from our internship program, where a European student designed Japanese fonts—the first such initiative in our company’s history.
Over the course of an intensive three-month program, we uncovered crucial areas where the industry must focus to improve the understanding and design of Chinese and Japanese glyphs. In the first half of the presentation, Ryota will interview Jade, the intern, to explore their journey, highlighting the distinct challenges and discoveries from both the tutor’s and participant’s perspectives. The second half will feature an in-depth discussion led by Tao and Ryota, delving into the principles of hanzi/kanji character design. By understanding these principles, designers whose native languages are not Chinese or Japanese will gain the ability not only to create fonts but also to recognize high-quality designs. The presentation will conclude with actionable tips and strategies, equipping attendees with the tools to contribute meaningfully to this growing field.
Jade Devaud is a type designer in training, currently pursuing a Type Design MA at École Estienne in Paris. In 2024, she joined Monotype as an intern where she devoted to a 3-month intensive program on Japanese type design, under the guidance of Akira Kobayashi and Ryota Doi. Jade first entered the world of type design in 2022 at Typofonderie. Her current research focuses on the relationship between Latin and Japanese type design, a topic she is exploring as part of her academic work.
After receiving his BA in design from Tokyo University of the Arts, he enrolled in the MA typeface design program at the University of Reading, where he studied the differences between Japanese and Latin type design. Since 2015, he has been a member of Monotype, focusing his expertise on designing Japanese typefaces that harmonize with Latin counterparts, and vice versa. His creative endeavors also encompass the creation of corporate typefaces and the provision of consulting services. Notable contributions include the creation and development of widely acclaimed typefaces such as Tazugane Gothic, Tazugane Info, and Shorai Sans. As a key member of the Tazugane Gothic design team, he played a crucial role in expanding the font family to accommodate CJK languages. His unwavering passion for typefaces also finds expression through educational pursuits, including delivering lectures at universities and engaging as a speaker at both international and domestic conferences.
Tao Di graduated from university where he studied engineering, and started his career as a graphic designer at an ad agency in China. During that period, he got attracted to the magic of fonts and started learning type design by himself.
Before joining Monotype, Tao worked at the largest type foundry in China, Founder Type, where he participated in dozens of Chinese font design and font customization projects. At Monotype, he contributed to a significant custom project called Garena Free Fire, a mobile video game.
During his spare time, Tao educates himself in the type design of other languages, including Latin and even Kana. He was the finalist at the Morisawa Type Design Competition 2019 and 2024.
Jade Devaud 
Ryota Doi 
Tao Di