A new typeface designed by kids for a Stockholm neighbourhood
Designers Göran Söderström and Daniela Juvall collaborate with children from the Östberga area as part of an exhibition by the Stockholm City Museum.
The purpose of the exhibition was to document histories of people from the Östberga neighbourhood. An area carries with it a reputation of an outer city suburb known for gang-crime with little amenities for residents. By bringing children from the area into the process, the design captures the diversity of the area without preconception of peoples outside view and in doing so has the ability to change perception of what the area offers.
Daniela and Göran held workshops with ten children of 4-12 years old at the local youth center, asking them to write words and letters in whichever style and manner they wanted with a different selection of pens. From this the complete alphabet was formed and has gone on to be created as an open-source typeface.
It’s great to see a design team bringing real people into the design process and taking this through into a final execution. One way to ensure a truly unique design that the people involved can always take pride in.
