The Journey of Arita: A Typographic Odyssey

Unveiling the Story Behind the Arita Font: A Masterpiece of Sunghoon Kim

In the world of typography, Sunghoon Kim's Arita font stands as a testament to the power of design. Inspired by the elegance of an ancient lady from Confucius's classic poetry, the Arita font embodies grace, sophistication, and modernity. This article delves into the journey of Arita, exploring its creation, unique properties, and the stories it tells.

The book, 'The Journey of Arita', serves as a comprehensive guide to the Arita font. It uncovers the veiled history of the font, its birth, the design process, the designers involved, and its various applications. The book is a treasure trove of information, featuring interviews with 14 designers, documentary photographs, and examples of products and books that utilize the Arita font.

The Arita font is not just a typeface; it is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the design team. The development of the font took an unprecedented 16 years, a timeframe unheard of in an industry where fonts are often commissioned and completed within a month. The designers focused on usability, ensuring that the font could be used effortlessly by designers and the general public alike. The Arita font is available to anyone free of charge, reflecting the company's commitment to cultural sharing.

The design process of the Arita font was not without its challenges. One unique aspect was the development of Korean terminology for each font, a task that is not easy in an industry where foreign words are often adopted. The designers' efforts to develop and use Korean terms for a better understanding of users are commendable. The project also involved collaboration with designers from foreign countries, including China and the Netherlands, to create the Roman alphabet and Chinese character typefaces.

The Arita font is a product of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship. The book was created using offset printing, hardback paper binding, and thermo-gluing. The cover is coated with skin texture, and a ribbon bookmark with Arita in Korean, English, and Chinese characters adds a unique touch. The text is printed on matte paper, while the photos are on glossy paper, creating a pleasing contrast.

The Journey of Arita is more than just a book; it's a testament to the power of design and the stories it can tell. It's a testament to the dedication and hard work of the design team, and a testament to the power of collaboration and cultural sharing. The Arita font is not just a typeface; it's a story, a journey, and a testament to the power of design.

The Journey of Arita and the Arita font have received the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in 2021, a testament to their outstanding design and innovation. This award is given to designs that demonstrate remarkable expertise, innovation, and artistic skill, and that evoke positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: sunghoon kim
Image Credits: ahn graphics
Project Team Members: Design Firm: ahn graphics Creative Director: Sunghoon Kim, Art Director: Mano An, Designer: Sunghoon Kim, Mano An, Yuseon Park, Hyojung Yang
Project Name: The Journey of Arita
Project Client: sunghoon kim


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