Renowned artist Yinka Ilori teams up with a renowned type foundry to create a unique display font, Yinka Sans, in two unique versions: Yinka Sans Ultra and Yinka Sans Shadow.
The fonts embody Ilori’s dedication to multiculturalism and positive energy, seamlessly combining bright colors and patterns with modern design elements. Their formation not only adds depth and intrigue to visual designs, but also showcases Ilori’s innovative approach to art, highlighting the transformative power of fonts.
Matthew Fenton, the project’s creative director, remarks that these fonts symbolize “inclusivity and joy”. Ilori’s choice to use custom fonts underscores his belief in the importance of typography in upholding the integrity of his work, adding depth and character to it and creating balance with the artwork.
The design team drew inspiration from various artistic influences, including music, architecture, Nigerian local dialects, and pop culture, resulting in stylistically unique and diverse letterforms.
Music’s influence resulted in rhythmic, dynamic letters, whereas architecture drove the creation of structured, geometrical letters. The incorporation of local dialects influenced the design of diverse shape and stroke combinations, while pop culture guided the creation of modern, engaging, and relatable letters.
The Yinka Sans Ultra and Shadow fonts are characterized by unique features, such as rounded openings, curved outlines, and squared terminations.
Yinka Ilori’s innovative multicultural font design
The Shadow font draws inspiration from Ilori’s past use of shadow effects, creating a visually impactful shadow cast. On the other hand, Ultra is bold and robust, emphasizing the strong features of the letters.
Yinka’s excitement about the new font’s release was palpable, as he expressed his passion for infusing positive emotions into his work. His intent is to tell stories, bring people together, and foster a sense of community through art, which is vividly depicted through these fonts.
The unique character styles blend Nigerian and London design influences, making Yinka Sans not only a visual delight but also a celebration of culture. Using Yinka Sans is more than just communication – it’s about challenging traditional typography’s borders and embracing diversity in design.
