Taurai Valerie Mtake As design evolves, it’s essential to preserve and integrate indigenous writing and graphic systems into contemporary practices. My presentation will examine the significance of African typography in today’s design landscape, highlighting how traditional scripts can enhance and challenge current typographic trends.
Drawing from my work on Pan-African design projects such as my Google font, Madimi One, Revival of Nguni Symbol Writing, Isibeqe Sohlamvu/Ditema, and the ongoing *madímì and Taur.AI, I will demonstrate how African writing systems are often underrepresented in mainstream design, despite their crucial role in cultural identity and innovation. By utilising AI and parametric design tools, we can create adaptive typefaces that reflect the dynamic nature of African languages and symbols, offering solutions that are both culturally resonant and technologically advanced.
The focus of my presentation will be on the ethical responsibility of designers to preserve indigenous scripts while making them relevant to modern design. Topics will include the challenges of creating multiscript systems, balancing innovation with cultural preservation, and the importance of fluidity in typographic design. My presentation aims to encourage the design community to recognise the importance of African typography, promoting a more inclusive, diverse, and dynamic typographic ecosystem.
By the end, attendees will gain practical insights on how to incorporate African scripts and other indigenous writing systems into their design practices. They will also leave with a deeper understanding of the cultural and technological intersections shaping the future of African typography.