Letterbox India Is A One-Of-A-Kind Digital Type & Lettering 'Lookbook'

The vast and diverse range of Indian languages, each with its unique script, presents a rich source of inspiration for designers and type artists. These scripts, with their complex letterforms and beautiful aesthetics, offer endless possibilities for creative exploration. From the Devanagari script's inherent precision to the flowing curves of Bengali; the dramatic obliques of Kannada to the interlocking characters of Malayalam: each writing system possesses a distinct character that can be translated into captivating typography.

However, developing a typeface can be a long, complicated process that can take anything from a few months to even years. To break the ennui of a single project and make things exciting, Ek Type came up with a daily practice to do fun little experiments and brainstorm creative ideas over steaming cups of chai. This is precisely the essence of their Letterbox initiative, where type designers explore the world of Indic letterforms during their chai breaks. This unique concept fosters a fun and collaborative environment. In just 15-20 minutes, designers sketch and experiment with various themes, scripts, and tools. These explorations can spark anything from casual lettering to the development of entirely new typefaces.

The most promising sketches are then digitized or further refined, eventually finding their way onto the Letterbox platform. But Letterbox is more than just a showcase of design outcomes. It's a window into the creative process that captures the energy and spontaneity of those initial chai-time explorations. Co-founder Sarang tells us that the experiments are uploaded on their Instagram, creating a sort of virtual lookbook which has often grabbed the attention of designers and creatives across different fields and has even resulted in what were once experiments appearing in real-world projects. Examples of this are designer Noopur Datye’s tri-lingual lettering for Kiran Rao’s superhit comeback film Laapataa Ladies and the book Druk Chintan, by the legendary Indian abstract painter Prabhakar Kolte which features fonts like Mukta, Vilom, & Gotu designed by Sarang Kulkarni.

Ek Type itself is a collaborative type design studio based in Mumbai. Their mission is to create fonts for all Indian languages, many of which encompass multiple scripts. Their name, ‘Ek’, which translates to ‘one’ in several Indian languages, reflects their philosophy of providing a unified platform for font development and collaboration.

Ek Type prioritizes creating high-quality contemporary fonts that adhere to script traditions while offering versatility across various platforms. Their team comprises experienced designers, researchers, and academics, ensuring a well-rounded approach to type design. Beyond creating fonts, Ek Type actively promotes awareness and education about Indian typography. They mentor upcoming designers, providing them with valuable hands-on experience and a platform to showcase their talents. With initiatives like Letterbox, they encourage artists to be creative in their craft and in the process highlight the beauty of regional Indian languages.

Follow Letterbox here.

If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:

Abhay Sehgal's Surrealist Art Ponders The Fears & Fantasies Of The Digital Age

Inside Ahmedabad's Aquatic Gallery: India's First Inland Aquarium

Sign Up For A Mumbai Workshop Aiming To Map The Emotional Landscapes Of Our Homes