Ila'l Amam Type Family: A Unique Arabic Italic TypefaceCombining Tradition and Innovation in Typography
The fascination behind an italicized oblique typeface came from the lack of one in any Arabic type as Arabic may be considered having a purely Italic format from the start; owing to the fact that Arabic is considered to have Cursive letterforms. In typography, an Italic type is a form of Cursive type, which was initiated from handwritten calligraphy, just like modern Arabic typefaces.
"Ila'l Amam" is a modern Arabic display type family that combines characteristics of the first Latin display type ever created, also known as "Fat Face," and the Iranian Kufic scripts of the 11th century. Developed by designer Sara Mansour, this typeface breaks new ground in Arabic typography by introducing an italicized oblique format.
The "Ila'l Amam" type family stands out with its highly stylized and contrasted letterforms, making it ideal for large-scale purposes. The combination of the vintage Iranian Kufic scripts and the boldness of Fat Face type creates a visually striking and unique design.
To showcase the versatility and quality of the "Ila'l Amam" type family, Mansour created triptych posters and a specimen book. The posters, printed with a semi-gloss finish, highlight the different forms of the typeface, while the specimen book provides a comprehensive overview of its various styles and applications.
The "Ila'l Amam" project began in April 2012 as part of an Advanced Typography & Publishing Course and was completed in May 2013. The specimen book and posters were produced in Jeddah and exhibited at the "Vision" Graphic Design Exhibition at Dar Al Hekma University in May 2013.
Creating an italicized oblique Arabic type family presented a significant challenge for Mansour. However, her dedication to pushing the boundaries of Arabic typography resulted in the innovative and visually striking "Ila'l Amam" type family.
Recognized for its creativity and ingenuity, the "Ila'l Amam" type family was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2014 in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category. This prestigious award honors designs that demonstrate technical and creative excellence while contributing to improvements in quality of life.
Project Details and Credits
Project Designers: Sara Mansour
Image Credits: Photography: NASA | Date: 08 / 23 /1966
Photograph Title: First View of Earth from Moon
Project Team Members: Sara Mansour
Project Name: Ila'l Amam Type Family
Project Client: Sara Mansour