DDS 2023

Dishant Mehlawat

M.Des/Year 2

Experimental Variable Devanagari Display typeface

Prof. Prasad Bokil

Kadak, the result of my graduation project, is a variable Devanagari font that aims to push the boundaries of form and style. It incorporates weight and decorative axes, offering a unique visual grammar within the font. Unlike traditional variable fonts that primarily modify width or weight, Kadak introduces a decorative axis, opening up new possibilities and enhancing flexibility for diverse media and applications. The motivation behind this project was to delve into experimenting with the form and style of the Devanagari script through the development and experimentation of a variable font. By exploring the form and style of Devanagari, the project aimed to address the challenges in typeface design for Indic scripts and seek innovative solutions that blend aesthetics and functionality. Looking ahead, the ongoing development of Kadak holds promise for design interventions and it shows potential for applications in various fields, such as animation and micro-interactions. The inclusion of the decorative axis in a variable font empowers designers to craft visually captivating and adaptable typography.

Devanagari body text font for applications with constrained spaces

Prof. Prasad Bokil

Machis is designed for better readability of Devanagari script in smaller point sizes on lable packaging. The packaging industry utilises regional languages, including Devanagari, but struggles with legibility when printing instructions and label information. Unfortunately, the majority of the Devanagari fonts designed for smaller sizes are either owned by organisations or not freely available for commercial use. Due to economic constraints, this often leads to brands using less legible fonts for packaging content. To address this issue, Machis was developed as an open-source Devanagari body text font tailored for packaging design below 9 points (3.175002 mm). Machis aims to optimise legibility and enhance the clarity of packaging typography. By providing a freely accessible font that caters to smaller point sizes, the project empowers brands and designers in the packaging industry to improve communication and enhance the overall user experience.