On 12th June we have our briefs workshop, so I had to start preparing my brief.
I read this line in the 'History of Languages' book- "If a script only exists in historical documents, engravings, it is all too easy to assume its no longer in use and the culture that created it is also lost."
While it doesn't apply to Devanagari fully, only some aspects of it. Here's what my brief says:
Background-
The Devanagari script, used primarily for writing Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, and Nepali, is one of the most intricate and versatile scripts in the world. It’s lineage can be traced back through a fascinating history of script evolution in the South Asian region. While the modern history says that all languages came from Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Devanagiri’s true legacy starts from Indus Valley Seals (which date even earlier than Egyptian Hieroglyphs), to Brāhmī which developed into the Gupta, Nagari, and finally Devanagari in the north, and Grantha that developed into the modern day South Indian languages. While the script’s versatility and ability to form conjunct letters have been its hallmark, over the past 70 years, there has been a significant simplification of Devanagari. This simplification has often been driven by the need for ease of use in digital media and everyday communication, but it has also led to the loss of some of its original intricate beauty and nuances, for instance, Kutakshar in Nepali Ranjana script.
Many stereotypes exist about the Devanagari script, primarily focusing on its perceived complexity. However, its rich capacity for creating conjunct letters and its unique phonetic elements, such as the anusvara and visarga, highlight the script’s distinctiveness and flexibility. Understanding and appreciating these features can help reframe Devanagari not just as a historical script but as a contemporary tool with significant potential in modern design. It holds untapped potential for modern visual design, offering unique aesthetic and phonetic qualities that can enrich contemporary communication and design practices.
Project aims-
The aim of this project is to reeducate people on the history, beauty and versatility of the Devanagari script through a user-centered design approach. By leveraging my rich cultural history from India, I plan to create a series of design artifacts and/or educational materials/manifestos that celebrate the true legacy of the Devanagari script and highlight its unique features, such as conjunct letters, distinct phonetic elements, and/or the the evolution from Brahmi to modern Devanagari. This project targets both design professionals and the general public, aiming to challenge existing stereotypes and demonstrate the script’s relevance and potential in modern design contexts.
Objectives-
Remove Biases and Stigma: Conduct user research to understand the common misconceptions about the Devanagari script and create educational content that addresses and dispels these stereotypes.
Explore the Versatility of the Script: Showcase the script’s capacity for creating complex conjunct letters and its unique phonetic characteristics through innovative design projects.
Highlight the Beauty of Devanagari: Develop visual designs that emphasise the aesthetic aspects of Devanagari, celebrating its intricate forms and historical richness.
Investigate Simplification Trends: Research the historical and practical reasons behind the simplification of Devanagari and explore the implications for its future use.
Promote Cultural Appreciation:Create materials that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural and linguistic heritage embodied in the Devanagari script.
Key theories and practice-based contexts-
Semiotic Theory: Understanding how signs and symbols convey meaning is crucial for appreciating the intricate design of Devanagari letters and their conjunct forms.
User-Centered Design(UCD): Employing UCD principles ensures that the project remains focused on the needs and perceptions of users, helping to make the Devanagari script more accessible and appreciated.
Typography and Visual Communication: Insights from typography and visual communication will guide the creation of educational and design materials that highlight the script’s aesthetic and functional qualities.
Historical Script Evolution Charts:Visual representations tracing the evolution from Brahmi to Devanagari.
Design Artifacts: Posters, typography samples, and digital graphics that showcase the beauty and versatility of Devanagari.
Here's some feedback/questions/suggestions I got on my brief -
Is this just about celebrations/showcasing, etc or there is a way your enquiry could embed a greater purpose? Who might benefit from this?
How could the use of generative typography/fonts help this enquiry?
Is this directed at design professionals/general public in India or elsewhere?
You also have the opportunity to showcase this here in the UK, so one facet of the process maybe exploring how this is subject to a UK audience?
Like the 3D. Is this a way to produce a ‘learning product’ for parents/schools/kids? Typo jenga!
I would love for you to add figures or illustrations that demonstrate some of the types of scripts you mention in the background section. There is a bit of an opportunity here for you to design your brief document - if you want to, its not a requirement.
Hybrid typeface/branding project that demonstrate the language and make it less alien to non-speakers.
Possibly the target audience is quite broad. Does it help you to focus this initially? If its directed to designers, you may be able to be more sophisticated in your approach.
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