Drape is an expressive type family inspired by the different characteristics of fabrics and textiles. Its distinctive shapes and dynamic texture make the typeface most useful for display applications. Since the structure of the Roman (more stiff and stable) and Italic (more fluid and flowing) is quite different while maintaining the same energy, Drape creates a distinct appearance in use. The six display weights in Roman and Italic are accompanied by two Text styles.
Nina Faulhaber is a type designer, graphic designer, and wood sculptor from Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. After completing three years of professional training in wood sculpting in the Bavarian Alps, she moved to Augsburg, Germany where she studied communication design and specialised in type design. Following that passion she decided to enter the Type and Media master’s programme. Nina is fascinated by the interplay between precise craftspersonship and artistic freedom, which she expresses in her work as both a designer andsculptor.
Although I usually feel very comfortable while designing text typefaces,
I decided to challenge myself by starting the process of the final project with a display design.
I developed a concept that focused on fabrics and textiles and the differences that could be
found in their characteristics:
light ↔ heavy
stiff ↔ fluid/flowy
defined ↔ undefined surface
rough ↔ slick
coarse ↔ elegant
These provided a good starting point for quicker and later more defined sketches.
The starting point was a lively italic design, from wich I developed the upright
companion. Digitizing the very expressive analogue sketches proofed difficult at
first and required many refinement steps. Right from the beginning of the process
it was very important to me to also produce some actual objects, not just files,
and to be inspired by the material itself. I explored various analogue techniques
to apply my design to / in fabric, such as embroidery or silk screen printing, and to
document the process and result. I was attracted to the idea of actually being able
to hold the typeface in my hands and experience it haptically, so that it would feel
more real and less abstract.
With its six variable Display weights in Roman and Italic and two matching Text styles, the Drape Type Family offers a good selection for various applications. The expressive display styles create striking impact wether inheadlines, text or logo type, while the sturdier and calmer Text styles make a good fit for longer paragraphs, still maintaining the expressive character even in small sizes.
