Manual

The Manual project aims at digitization of traditional pre-digital era typefaces found in Slovakia’s public spaces, their modernization and re-introduction for modern day usage.

As the original fonts only existed in a form of physical stencils or simply just as sets of memorized instructions in the original designers’ heads, the typefaces almost completely disappeared from active usage with the digitalization of the graphic design industry.

The best example could be the typeface used on Slovak street signage plates – it has been gradually replaced with deformed Arial or other completely unrelated typefaces. The public space is thus losing its traditional and familiar visual element.

The result of the Manual project is a growing catalogue of modern digital typefaces meant to be used by all designers – from employees of enamel shops who now have a modern and quick way of producing the plates, to young digital designers who can give a new meaning to these revived typefaces.

The project was supported using public funding by Slovak Arts Council.

The project was awarded The Tatra Banka Foundation Award for Art and The Slovak National Prize for Communication Design.