Coupling Bilingual Typefaces

Abstract

This presentation focuses on the process of designing and coupling experimental display typeface in Latin and Arabic. As the two scripts are in opposite directions, and the glyphs are different in many aspects, it is vital to understand the design challenges in order to design a successful bilingual family. This case study exposes bilingual display typefaces designed in Beirut, highlighting the work of my typography students at the Lebanese American University; where bilingual designs are prominent, and where matching Latin and Arabic typeface is essential. The proposed paired bilingual typefaces are based on a modular system design, each resulting from a specific theme. The executed design method inspires the success of a harmonious bilingual type family. It proposes an approach to create distinct scripts with matching features without compromising the characteristics of each script. Therefore combining two distinct yet matching scripts with similar style attributes. These matched typefaces will be then utilized in bilingual display layouts without jeopardizing the design output.