Pascal Zoghbi A decade ago, the arrival of variable font technology shook the world of type design and sparked curiosity about what it could mean for Arabic typography. Could this new medium finally bridge the elegance of Arabic calligraphy with the flexibility demanded by modern design? Arabic type designers began experimenting, not just to add decorative flair, but to see if variable axes could carry the DNA of real calligraphic traditions. The challenge became less about “style” and more about “function”: how can axes translate the essence of Arabic scripts into living, adaptable typefaces?
This talk will open up that exploration. We’ll dive into the many Arabic-inspired axes that can be woven into contemporary type design, and what happens when technology meets centuries of craft. How does an axis behave in a classical Naskh typeface versus a stripped-down, simplified one? What happens when we apply the idea to Ruqaa, with its sharp rhythm, or to Diwani and Thuluth, with their flowing ornamentation? And what about the vast spectrum of Kufic—from its geometric Abbasid roots to the fluid Maghribi and bold contemporary interpretations? Each script carries unique possibilities for pushing the boundaries of variable design.
Along the way, we’ll look at groundbreaking projects and research from leading Arabic type experts around the globe, showcasing both what’s possible today and what lies ahead. But the talk won’t stop at type design—it will also ask: what does this mean for graphic designers and typographers? How can variable Arabic fonts help you create stronger hierarchies, balance text justification, fine-tune weight and contrast, or adapt optical size for different contexts?
Ultimately, this is about unlocking tools that let designers set Arabic with more control, more creativity, and more respect for the beauty of the script—while shaping the future of Arabic typography.