Shawati’ Magazine
An elegant contemporary Arabic and Latin typography is at the core of the corporate identity of Shawati’ Magazine, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The design and layout of the magazine demanded the creation of a unique Arabic and Latin display typeface. The Arabic is inspired from both Naskh and Thuluth calligraphic styles while the Latin is drawn based on the Modern Serif Roman style.
The letterforms are drawn with extreme refinement and high contrast between the thick and thin pen strokes that convey modernity in a stylish approach, simultaneously, for Latin and Arabic, with many elements bringing them together like weights, contrast and proportions.
Each letter of the Shawati’ typeface has been designed individually; making sure all had the extreme thick and thin pen strokes. This extreme contrast was coupled with strong cuts and edges to give the font a strong and crispy feel.
The Arabic letters are drawn with a free hand approach. The descenders are cut in an elegant thin open stroke. The loop structures were drawn with extra-extended strokes with thin endings, as opposed to the traditional fully circular or triangular approach. The weight of the tooth in the letters is a balance play between thick and thin strokes that lend the letterforms a contemporary feel with a sturdy structure.
Originally created for exclusive use in Shawati’ Magazine in 2010, the typeface was subsequently further developed and released for general licensing as 29LT Zeyn in 2014.
