New Arabic Typefaces for Multilingual Communication Today

Nadine Chahine designed Koufiya in 2003 as part of her MA project at the University of Reading, UK. It is the first typeface to include a matching Arabic and Latin designed by the same designer at the same time with the intention of creating a harmonious balance between the two scripts. The Arabic part is based on the early Kufi style popular in the 7th to 10th century AD. It is characterized by a strong horizontal baseline, horizontal stacking order, clear and open counters, and a general open feeling. Though based on the earliest styles on Arabic manuscript, the design paradoxically appears quite modern and fresh. The Latin part of Koufiya recalls a Dutch influence in its shallow top arches and rather squarish proportions. Both Arabic and Latin parts have been carefully designed to maintain the same optical size, weight, and rhythm. However, no sacrifices were made to make them appear closer to each other. They are designed so that they work well together on the printed page, and to make sure that the two scripts are harmonious when they are mixed together even if within the same paragraph. The font includes support for Arabic, Persian, and Urdu. It also includes proportional and tabular numerals for the supported languages.

Badiya, meaning desert, is a modern and slightly modulated Naskh. The design has open counters that enable it to be used in quite small sizes.The resulting effect is that of a clear, legible, and modern text face. Badiya is especially suited for print in magazines and corporate communication. It combines well with Frutiger Arabic and Janna as a text face with a matching headline. The Latin companion to Badiya is Syntax which is included also in the font. The font also includes support for Arabic, Persian, and Urdu as well as proportional and tabular numerals for the supported languages.

Janna is based on the Kufi style but incorporates aspects of Ruqaa and Naskh in the letter form designs. This results in what could be labeled as a humanist Kufi, a Kufi style that refers to handwriting structures and slight modulation to achieve a more informal and friendly version of the otherwise highly structured and geometric Kufi styles. Janna, which means “heaven” in Arabic was first designed in 2004 as a signage face for the American University of Beirut. So, the design is targeted towards signage applications but is also quite suited for various applications from low resolution display devices to advertising headlines to corporate identity and branding applications. The Latin companion to Janna is Adrian Frutiger’s Avenir which is included also in the font. The font also includes support for Arabic, Persian, and Urdu as well as proportional and tabular numerals for the supported languages.

These three finely-crafted typefaces are drawn and programmed with the highest quality standards. All will be significant additions to your Arabic type collection.