What we do: design research, design residencies, experimental projects, cross-cultural networks, collaboration, knowledge exchange, knowledge production, social engagement, public space, agency, methodology, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, tools, books, publications, products, objects, words, texts, languages, letters, type, heritage, visual culture, innovation.
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Typographic Matchmaking in the Maghrib (2015–2017)
The Short Documentary
The Typographic Matchmaking in the Maghrib short documentary is part “making-of” and part conceptual impression of the project. The film documents the working process of the project, yet also contextualizes the cultural histories and realities of the North African identity and social fabric. Film maker and video artist Jan de Bruin is well-known for his minute observing eye, wherein he can distill meaning in the tiniest or most mundane details. This audiovisual production investigates how lettering features in specific environments and its importance as a primary cultural identifier. The history of the various scripts investigated and their interactions through the ages, their visual qualities and characteristics will be examined through the ways in which the various designers work within these writing and design traditions. The film will cover how do the designers move in and outside these different geographical, sociopolitical, design and writing spaces. Through interviews and testimonials the goals of the project and the motivation of the designers is made clear and the cultural implications of the fonts produced is explained. The film is becomes a meta-text on how the filmic medium is equipped (or not) to capture the media of writing and type design. How can the disciplines of the cinematic and the typographic(written) enforce each other within a filmic scenario, and produce an added value to design practice and education.
The goals of the Typographic Matchmaking projects are to nurture cultural dialogue and help develop indigenous design skills. In its third edition entitled Typographic Matchmaking in the Maghrib, a group of European (Dutch, Spanish, French) and Arab (Lebanese, Moroccan, Tunisian) designers will research and develop tri-script font families that combine Arabic, Tifinagh and Latin scripts harmoniously.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/241743698
Filmed, directed and edited by Jan de Bruin
Producer: Khatt Foundation, Jan de Bruin
Project Curator: Huda Smitshuijzen-AbiFares
The Typographic Matchmaking in the Maghrib short documentary is part “making-of” and part conceptual impression of the project. The film documents the working process of the project, yet also contextualizes the cultural histories and realities of the North African identity and social fabric. The goals of the Typographic Matchmaking projects are to nurture cultural dialogue and help develop indigenous design skills. In its third edition entitled Typographic Matchmaking in the Maghrib, a group of European (Dutch, Spanish, French) and Arab (Lebanese, Moroccan, Tunisian) designers will research and develop tri-script font families that combine Arabic, Tifinagh and Latin scripts harmoniously.
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Typographic Matchmaking in the City (2009–2011)
Typographic Matchmaking in the City 2.0
2010 (video 33min.)
Jan de Bruin Productions and the Khatt Foundation
. Shot on several locations in Amsterdam, Dubai (UAE), Sharjah (UAE), Pingjum (Friesland), and Doha (Qatar), Typographic Matchmaking in the City : the Film follows the 5 teams of Dutch and Arab designers that participated in the project over a period of 18 months while they were traveling, working together, and presenting their work in progress to culturally and professionally diverse audiences. The film makes visible not only the design process, the struggles and challenges of the designers, but also addresses the larger topics of bringing two cultures into a dialogue through design. The personalities of the designers show through their collaborative process, discussions, interactions and the final design outcomes. The film gives a very humane and personal portrait of the process of creation and creativity. Edited by Ans Kanen.
Typographic Matchmaking in the City is a documentary about an urban typographic research project, shot on several locations in Amsterdam, Dubai (UAE), Sharjah (UAE), Pingjum (Friesland), and Doha (Qatar).
Director & Camera: Jan de Bruin
Producer: Khatt Foundation, Jan de Bruin
Edit: Ans Kanen
Music: Philipp Ernsting