Learning a new language can be a challenge at the best of times, but the level of difficulty immediately ramps up when you have to get to grips with a new script as well.
This was the challenge faced by one of the UK's top design studios, johnson banks (opens in new tab). After multiple trips to Japan they still couldn't read the language, so they created this unique typeface that combines English language and Japanese script.
Out of the three typographic styles used in Japan, johnson banks settled on Katakana as the phonetic wordmark used to present foreign words (or at least, the uniquely Japanese pronunciation of said words).
By incorporating phonetic English sounds into Katakana shapes, johnson banks created Phonetikana, a readable hybrid for English speakers new to the language. Start reading Japanese right now with Phonetikana and the images below.
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