Ilya: A Cyrillic Variable Font
Typography
Typography
Typography
Typography
Typography
Typography
Typography
Typography
Typography
Designer(s)
Makeba Gaskin
Duration
0 Weeks
Recognitions
Overview
Ilya is a high contrast Cyrillic display typeface for the Russian alphabet. Ilya’s inspiration comes from traditional Orthodox Glagolitic engravings. Intended for editorial, design and art spaces, Ilya combines old and new concepts in order to function in both traditional and contemporary contexts. Ilya’s type specimen features its typographic highlights, two print applications and one web application. For now, Ilya is strictly Russian and does not yet support other Cyrillic or Latin alphabets.
Details
Ilya's condensed form & high crossbar are directly derived from its inspiration. Traditionally, Glagolitic engravings are quite narrow & tall. Ilya is made contemporary with its width variable. Ilya's extended form is an untraditional interpretation of Glagolitic engravings. Although quite angular & sharp, Ilya (sparingly) uses rounded counters & corners to create contrast & variety between characters. While in transition between its condensed & extended forms, Ilya's Optical width thickens ever so slightly to accommodate for the excess negative space created when it extends. Throughout Ilya’s production, I consulted with a native Russian speaker on matters of legibility & aesthetics.