Manuel López Rocha This presentation offers a synthesis of a long-term project I have been developing since 2014 in collaboration with speakers, editors, and activists from the Mixe (Ayuujk) people of Oaxaca, Mexico. The central aim of this initiative is to create digital typographic resources and type families that fully support the written representation of the language. Beyond the design of letterforms, the work requires an in-depth engagement with the linguistic structure of Mixe—analyzing its phonological, grammatical, and pragmatic levels—and translating these elements into visual systems through type design. This interdisciplinary approach has made it possible to develop digital tools that foster community empowerment through the use and appropriation of contemporary writing technologies.
The presentation will introduce three typographic projects conceived specifically to meet the needs of Mixe. Among them is a type family that includes the digital reinterpretation of the Epiolmec syllabary, an ancient writing system considered a historical precursor of Mixe. Together, these projects illustrate how type design can bridge linguistic research, cultural heritage, and technological innovation. The project is currently supported by the SILICON Practitioners Program at Stanford University, which is expected to bring it to an advanced stage of development by 2026.