Reframing the Indian Vernacular Typography

According to the dictionary, the term vernacular means “a language or dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language.” The word “vernacular” itself is rooted in the Latin word Verna, meaning “slave born in the master’s house.”

One of the effects of almost 200 years of colonialization in India was that any form of art or communication that was widely seen by people was termed as vernacular (kitsch or low art). This includes some of the popular forms including the calendar art, matchbox art, and truck art of India. Even though each of these art forms have a specific function, they have come to be known mostly for their treatment of visuals and typography.

Also, there is a growing tendency to either write Hindi in Roman letters or coin hybrid words using Hinglish. To preserve the rich history of Hindi, its countless speakers in India and elsewhere need to make it as widespread a medium of communication as English, Arabic, or Mandarin.

This talk will present my research findings and show how I have used the Devanagari script to reframe Indian vernacular type design. It will address some established assumptions and share new perspectives of using Devanagari for developing engaging design solutions. Ultimately, I intend to highlight the script’s rich visual treatment but also its functionality within my design projects.