TERENA - Projeto de Tipografia Vernacular por Gabriel Mendes
Explanation of goal and process of this project.
Research of other vernacular types a reference.
TERENA - Projeto de Tipografia Vernacular por Gabriel MendesTERENA - Projeto de Tipografia Vernacular por Gabriel MendesTERENA - Projeto de Tipografia Vernacular por Gabriel Mendes
Images above are related to field research. They were taken at a local market. The sign for natural remedies was chosen as the main inspiration.
Study of details to be replicated in the new typography.
According to the book "How to create typefaces" by Cristóbal Henestrosa, the imaginative word "hamburgerfontvs" is a great starting point. First I created the letters found in the sign, like "A", "B", "N", "0", etc. Then proceeded to the remaining letters in the word. After that, I could find the pattern for creating words not included, like "K", "Y" and "Z".
Demonstration of font being refined on Illustrator.
TERENA - Projeto de Tipografia Vernacular por Gabriel Mendes
Complete basic Roman alphabet.
Application of the font name.
Demonstration of main characteristics, such as constant width, cross-stem arm and tilted axis.
TERENA - Projeto de Tipografia Vernacular por Gabriel Mendes
Application in a bottle of Andiroba, one of the natural remedies advertised in the original sign. Font intended for display use, not for continuous text.

TERENA VERNACULAR TYPOGRAPHY

Tools:
Illustrator
Photoshop

This project values the richness of cultural manifestations in the city of São Luís, Brazil, in regards to its vernacular typography. 

In a visit to one of our popular street markets, my goal was to find inspiration to a new typography. Among many signs and letterings, I chose a sign for natural remedies because it had longer text and therefore more characters to use as reference. Its simplicity of form, without much stress variation in the letters and its irreverent curves also influenced my choice.

The name “TERENA” comes from the first two letters of the first three words in red: “TEmos REmédios NAturais” (in English, “we have natural remedies”). In addition, the word TERENA, in Portuguese, sounds like it could be derived from one of our native people’s languages (as are many other words in Brazilian Portuguese). 

As the state of Maranhão is known for having a strong concentration of native people, the font name ties it all around to showcase our people and our culture.

terena tipografia vernacular

Ferramentas usadas:
Illustrator
Photoshop

Este projeto valoriza a riqueza das manifestações culturais da cidade de São Luís, Brasil, no que diz respeito à tipografia vernacular.

Em uma visita a um de nossos populares mercados de rua, meu objetivo era encontrar uma inspiração para uma nova tipografia. Entre tantos letreiros manuscritos, decidi escolher este letreiro de remédios naturais por ter um texto mais longo e mais caracteres para usar como referência, além da simplicidade da forma sem muito estresse nas letras e com curvas irreverentes.

O nome “TERENA” vem da primeira sílaba da frase em vermelho no letreiro “TEmos REmédios NAturais”. Além disso, a palavra TERENA soa como se fosse derivada da língua indígena brasileira devido à sua estrutura simples de sílaba: consoante-vogal / consoante-vogal / consoante-vogal.

Como o estado do Maranhão é conhecido por ainda ter uma forte presença indígena, o nome tipográfico potencializa ainda mais a riqueza de nossa cultura.

Project Gallery:

Project Gallery: