In this project I demonstrate how to create a decorative word in bespoke Arabic type, from the initial sketches of each letterform through to making digital refinements in FontLab.
Arabic is the second-most widely used alphabet around the world. It forms the basis of dozens of languages across a huge region stretching from West Africa to South-East Asia, including various co-official languages in non-Arab states such as India, Pakistan, China, Iran and Afghanistan.
This project explores some of the script's creative possibilities, offering a basic introduction to non-Latin typeface design. The word we analyse in the following steps illustrates many of the general features of Arabic, and means "two accountants" - a nice fit given the global financial crisis.
Don't have FontLab? You can get a trial version here.
