Designing an Arabic font style is not easy, especially if you gear it toward Latin alphabet-based texts. Arabic typography is different from the original Arabic writing, but the design aspects are still complicated. If you are interested in designing or using such font style, make sure to understand the basics to capture its unique visual beauty.
Arabic Font Style Definition
Arabic font style refers to font designs inspired by Arabic letters and typography. As the word “style” suggests, these fonts do not necessarily use actual Arabic letters. They can be modified Latin characters written or drawn using strokes, curves, and dots found in actual Arabic typography.
Arabic font style is often created to evoke the distinctive beauty of Arabic letters, but with Latin alphabets widely used in the international sense. The way these characters used also does not follow typical Arabic writing rules.
Difference with Arabic Writing
Arabic font style has fundamental differences from Arabic typography and Arabic writing. Unlike the other two, the Arabic font style does not follow the rules of the Arabic script used in the actual writing. Font designers often take the basic visual elements of this font and apply them to Latin alphabets, creating stylized, “hybrid” fonts.
Arabic font style is not used in the same way as Arabic writing. It does not follow the actual writing system, style, and grammar rules. It is also not drawn in the same style of classic Arabic calligraphy. Font designers have more freedom to use the visual elements of Arabic letters and apply them in this unique font style.
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Font Characteristics
Arabic font styles add specific characteristics to your typography. Their generous curves, loops, and bowls create distinctive elegance. They are also often written in monolinear style, which means that all the line strokes have the same width. Designers may also incorporate a calligraphic look in the font styles, even when the font is based on Latin alphabets.
This font style can also be written as block or slab typeface, but the basic visual elements stay. Some font styles have brush stroke looks, making them look like they have been drawn with brushes and ink or oblong pens. Others are embossed, have 3D textures, or are drawn in playful, elegant, or artistic style, depending on the designer’s idea.
Unlike actual Arabic writing, not all Arabic font styles are written in cursive. The downloadable Arab font styles often have variations like Italic or Bold, just like Latin-based font packages.
Examples of Arabic Font Style
You can see Arabic Font styles in downloadable font packages from Pollux of Geminorum. For example, Rasyideen was based on Latin script font, complete with accent marks normally used in Arabic writing. Funabic has a bolder, quirkier style, with wide lines and a flat baseline that give it a slightly chunky and whimsical look. The stark contrast between these fonts shows how diverse this font style is for your designs.
Arabic font style is a specific font design that combines a beautiful classic script with a modern sensibility. Visit Pollux of Geminorum to find such fonts, and get creative with these unique “hybrid” styles to adorn your designs.