These proudly Filipino-made fonts take inspiration from jeepney signages and everyday life
Typography for brands isn't only about being aesthetic but also being memorable and evocative.
A graphic designer based in Pasig in a now-viral post compiled fonts that are proudly Filipino, reminiscent of the jeepney signages and other unassuming Noypi elements in our everyday lives.
"Did you know there are fonts out there made by our fellow Filipinos?!" wrote Ctrl Shift in a Facebook post, which has over 7,000 reactions, 200 comments, and 16,000 shares to date. "Surely they're giving PINOY vibes! Here are 5 FONTS that you can use on your designs!"
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The fonts are namely Cubao by Aaron Amar; Maragsa by John David Maza; Quiapo by Amar; Katipunan by Freedom Fonts PH; and Kagitingan by Edsel Pingol.
Ctrl Shift, or Cynrick Custodio in real life, told PhilSTAR L!fe that for the longest time, Filipinos have been accustomed to foreign fonts, and that it's high time to support local and bolster our identity.
"Since we have the resources to locate these fonts, we decided to share it with our audience so they may ought to enjoy them, too," Custodio said. "The best thing about it is there are no other fonts like it since they were inspired from our culture and society."
The fonts can be found on creative platform Behance as well as the Instagram accounts of his industry colleagues, according to Custodio.
They may be downloaded through the links provided on Custodio's post.
As for Ctrl Shift, which he founded in 2021, Custodio said it's supposed to be a blog for designers especially aspiring ones.
"Ever since the beginning, we're centered on providing concepts that may help one to understand more about graphic design," he said, adding that the page delivers helpful resources, tutorials, and tools for users.
For the last two years, Ctrl Shift then grew massively and became a full-blown design firm.
They also make design sticker packs and work with different clients for their businesses.
One of their significant clients, Custodio said, is Barefoot Theatre Collaborative, the company behind the famous musical Mula sa Buwan.
Ctrl Shift also had a hand in the presidential campaign of former vice president Leni Robredo, dubbed the "Pink Movement."
"We are eager in doing our best to teach and encourage everyone not just within the design community," he said, "but to those who have the desire to explore the world of graphic design."
Custodio in his original post also noted that it's supposedly the first part, so netizens will have more Filipino fonts to appreciate and download in the coming days. (with reports from Brooke Villanueva)