Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Culture announced on Wednesday the launch of two new typefaces — the Al-Awwal and the Saudi. Both typefaces, which celebrate the Kingdom’s culture, will be available to individuals and organizations wishing to use them in formal, design, artistic and creative works.

The new typefaces, developed by the Ministry of Culture and inspired by ancient inscriptions, are designed for everyone to use and explore. Al-Awwal connects deep roots of Saudi culture to the vibrant present, inspired by the earliest Arabic scripts and is a testament to the Saudi cultural legacy.

The Ministry of Culture worked to implement the Al-Awwal and the Saudi typefaces, inspired by using the distinctive artistic features of Arabic script, to preserve the characteristics of early calligraphy and inscriptions. Al-Awwal is a thoughtful reimagining of a handwriting style that takes many of its cues from the inscriptions of the first Hijri century. The Al-Awwal typeface integrates modern calligraphy techniques to closely emulate the letter forms in the early stages of development, connecting the present with the origins, foundations and early history of the region. The Saudi typeface is partly inspired by Al-Awwal and embodies creative ingenuity whilst maintaining the aesthetic of the Kingdom’s historical heritage.

Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah said: "The launch of the Al-Awwal and Saudi typefaces is a tribute to the Kingdom's vast cultural and aesthetic heritage. Each typeface serves as a bridge between the past and the present, merging traditional elements with contemporary design principles. This harmonious blend not only honors the Kingdom’s legacy but also inspires innovation.”

The development of the two typefaces began with a historical foundation and archaeological elements, representing the ancient Arabic writings, and reflecting the style of ancient scripts. Both typeface designs are based on creative thinking and interdisciplinary integration among manuscript studies, art history, linguistics, design and digital programming. Designed to celebrate the beauty of Arabic calligraphy, these typefaces enhance aesthetic proportions and spacing between letters, words, lines, dots and diacritics.

By integrating historical foundations with innovative design elements, the Ministry of Culture's introduction of the new typefaces not only preserves but also reinvigorates a vital aspect of Saudi Arabia's heritage. The meticulous effort put into creating these typefaces manifests an ideal equilibrium between tradition and modernity, offering a notable tribute to the Kingdom's cultural legacy.