Arafi armenian font
Applying that same design to two very different alphabets has its own unique challenges, as spacing works differently in the Armenian alphabet, which we discussed later on in the evening. One must not only look at the way a design is applied to individual letters, but to the way those letters in said design work together as words and sentences. He drew inspiration from Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, as well as from the various inscriptions found on Yerevan’s many sculptural monuments and in Armenia’s khachkars (cross-stones).Īs someone new to the type scene, I learned just how much work goes into creating a font. In his presentation, Ter-Avetikiants presented a font he was developing to be applied to both the Latin and Armenian alphabets. The event featured three presenters, Badasian, Jihanian, and recent college graduate and graphic designer Emil Ter-Avetikiants. Having completed an MA in Typeface Design at the University of Reading and having dedicated his life to researching and developing Armenian typefaces, Jihanian seemed the perfect person to serve as the inaugural event’s dialogue lead.Īraz Bogharian kicks off the event (photo Gabriel Ouzounian) For their first event, they also enlisted the help of independent graphic designer Gor Jihanian. She will continue to act as the chapter’s lead for all events to come. In order to make her idea a reality, Badasian teamed up with graphic designer Araz Bogharian, who was instrumental in establishing Yerevan’s Type Thursday chapter and organizing its first event. When I asked designers here if there was a design community, they all said no.” She envisioned a Type Thursday Yerevan that would provide the space necessary to foster and grow that design community while elevating it. “It’s an opportunity to push design thinking, and I think that’s something that’s missing in a lot of places, including Armenia.
Maria Badasian presents her “tuyn” graphic at Type Thursday Yerevan’s first event (photo Gabriel Ouzounian)Īccording to Maria, “the only rule really is to have letters in your design.” The sky’s the limit in terms of what you can present, and there’s room for both fun and serious critique. The idea to establish a chapter in Yerevan came from graphic designer and Birthright Armenia alumna Maria Badasian, who had already attended many Type Thursday events in her native New York City and was struck by the warmth and support she had found in its design community. With chapters already established in 13 other locations, including major cities such as New York City, Madrid, London, and Los Angeles, Type Thursday is an international organization that aims to foster and facilitate communities all over the world that hold design at the forefront of their thought. You could present sketches of some lettering you came up with, type used in advertising or posters, or typeface – a group of characters, letters, and numbers that share the same design, such as the Times typeface family, which includes the Times New Roman font.
Participants are encouraged to submit any and all things typographic to the discussion that might benefit from the feedback of type designers and educators. Often, the discussion is moderated by a Type Thursday dialogue lead who has extensive experience in letterform creation and usage.
As an attendee, you are encouraged to ask questions and give constructive feedback, but you are also welcome to simply sit back and listen. But the real fun starts with an hour of Type Crit, a moderated group critique of up to three projects-in-progress that involve letterform design. The typical Type Thursday begins and ends with social time and drinks for members of the community. Gor Jihanian presents his Armenian take on the signature Type Thursday font (photo Gabriel Ouzounian) Letterforms can be found just about everywhere, from the dropdown list of fonts in your Microsoft Word toolbar to nametags to storefront signs to the words and letters that make up a product’s branding. The courtyard at Keerk & Co is packed for Type Thursday Yerevan’s first event (photo Gabriel Ouzounian)įor those who don’t know (and I definitely didn’t know), Type Thursday is a monthly meeting for people who love letterforms, graphic forms of letters that are either written or rendered in a particular type font. YEREVAN - On the evening of Thursday, September 2, typography enthusiasts and newcomers to the artform alike gathered in the courtyard of Keerk & Co cafe for Yerevan’s very first Type Thursday event.