Supporting Linguistic Diversity through Type Design
The full lineup for our FREE Fall Virtual Lecture Series. Registration now open!
This fall, we’re hosting a lecture series exploring the challenges of language support, diacritic design, and the role of type design in language revitalization. Our guests will share their experiences designing for diverse languages and scripts, offering both practical insights and critical perspectives.
Talks will take place on Fridays, 1-2 PM ET. Each conversation will run 30–45 minutes, followed by a short Q&A.
We kicked things off last week with Lisa Huang’s talk, Words of Type: Cultivating Multilingual Typographic Diversity. Missed it? Catch the recording here! Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for the opening session!
Here’s what’s coming up next in the series:
September 26 | The Cherokee Syllabary with Chris Skillern
In this session, we’ll speak with Chris Skillern about The Cherokee Syllabary and his work in Indigenous language revitalization. We’ll explore the cultural, historical, and design considerations involved in creating type for the Cherokee Nation, including how type design can support language preservation and community identity. Chris will share his journey in type design, what working with the Cherokee syllabary has taught him, and how engaging with language as both a designer and community member shapes his practice. We’ll also discuss questions such as: What does it mean to design type for Indigenous languages? What is still missing? How can designers support language revitalization projects with cultural respect and sensitivity?
🔗 Register
Curious about Chris’ work? Check out these articles showcasing Chris’ journey in developing comprehensive Cherokee typefaces:
Cherokee, Osage, and the Indigenous North American Type Collection by Chris Skillern, Dr. Jessica Harjo and Kevin King, Typotheque, 2025.
Towards a Cohesive Cherokee Typography by Chris Skillern, Typotheque, 2025.
October 3 | Type Design for African Languages with Chisaokwu Joboson
In this session, we’ll speak with Chisaokwu Joboson, a Nigerian type and brand designer, about Type Design for African Languages and his work with Ụdị Foundry. We’ll explore the cultural, linguistic, and design considerations involved in creating type that elevates African stories and reflects the continent’s languages, character sets, visual traditions, and cultures. Chisaokwu will share his journey in type design, how his work challenges industry expectations, and his approach to authenticity, self-determination, and cultural representation. We’ll also discuss questions such as: How can designers expand access and equity in type design for African languages? What gaps exist in traditional typography education and resources? How can type support cultural identity, linguistic nuance, and visual expression across Africa?
🔗 Register
Read more about Chisaokwu’s experience designing African-inspired type:
One Year in Type Design: An African Designer’s Journey Through Barriers and Cultural Identity by Chisaokwu Joboson, Medium, 2025.
October 10 | Language, Identity, and Typography in the Philippines with Jo Malinis and Jad Maza
In this session, we’ll speak with Jo Malinis and Jad Maza to explore the rich linguistic and typographic landscape of the Philippines. Jo will open with a broad overview of the country’s many languages and scripts, followed by Jad’s research on Baybayin and ongoing efforts in script revival and cultural reclamation. Together, they will reflect on questions such as: How has colonization impacted the writing systems of the Philippines? How have English and Tagalog shaped everyday communication and design? What does it mean to reclaim precolonial scripts today, and how can type design support that process?
🔗 Register
Curious how Jo & Jad are shaping community through type? Explore their previous projects and talks:
Type63 is a platform founded by Jo Malinis celebrating Filipino type design and typography.
Baybayin in Fonts with Jad Maza, TypeLab Asia, 2024.
From Struggle to Strength with Jo Malinis, Type Electives, 2023.
In Search of the Filipino Typeface with Jo Malinis, adobo Talks x CDAP Usapang Design, 2022.
October 17 | North American Indigenous Languages with Leo Vicenti
In this session, we’ll speak with Leo Vicenti about North American Indigenous Languages and his approach to type design that honors linguistic and cultural traditions. We’ll explore the design, cultural, and linguistic considerations involved in creating typefaces that support Indigenous communities, diacritics, and regional typographic practices. Leo will share his journey in type design, how working with Indigenous languages has shaped his perspective, and what it means to engage with language as both a designer and a community member. We’ll also discuss questions such as: How can designers work respectfully with Indigenous languages and worldviews? What lessons can typography draw from regional and cultural practices? How can designers support indigenous communities, sovereignty, and cultural expression through their work?
🔗 Register
Catch more of Leo’s readings and talks on Indigeneous typography:
New Unicode Characters for Heiltsuk by Kevin King, Mark Turin, Leo Vicenti, Cris Hernández and Bridget Chase, Typotheque, 2025.
Indigenous North American Type with Bridget Chase & Leo Vicenti, Multilingüe, 2025.
Indigenous Typography with Leo Vicenti, Type Brigade, 2025.
🌱 Help us spread the word! Our Fall 2025 Virtual Lecture Series continues every Friday, 1–2 PM ET. Share this newsletter with your type-loving friends and colleagues. We hope to see you there!
Kate