Design Ignites Change - Projects

Temple University, Tyler School of Art

This is a font that captures and reflects the ornate culture of India. The font is a collection of 26 majuscule forms that make up the English alphabet. The collection is entitled Kalakari Display. Kalakari translates from Hindi to English to mean ornamentation. Designed by Tyler School of Art MFA student, Beth Shirrell. Art Direction by Associate Professor, Kelly Holohan.

Beth Shirrell
beth@quilities.com

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June 16, 2010

The letter "A" from Kalakari Display.

Silk screened poster highlighting an aspect of Indian cultural which inspired the design of Kalakari Display.

Detail of silk screened poster.

Kalakari Display, an Indian inspired collection of 26 majuscule forms that make up the English alphabet.

Beth's design goal was to elicit the specific cultural aesthetic without bastardizing an existing font or creating a font that came across as cliché. She explored typographic expression by creating a display font through a combination of illustration and anatomical analysis based on cultural influences from India.

Beth specifically took impetus from the countries architecture, the ancient art of henna painting, and Hindu iconography. The font is showcased in a series of silk screened posters. Each poster uses the font to highlight the specific cultural influence in Hindi or Sanskrit. It is meant not just to be read, but experienced.

Kalakari Display

Temple University, Tyler School of Art

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