Aisha originated from research about the Maghribi script – its regular Arabic weight is based on the foundry type Titus Nemeth discovered in a 19th century book. In the process of design Titus reinterpreted the sources within the framework provided by current usage and technology. He developed a Latin face to accompany the Arabic, drawing both as independently usable, yet closely related typefaces.
The Latin version of Aisha is one of the designs where the style of the Arabic version shaped the direction for the Roman letters, rather than the other way around. Drawing on research around Maghribi calligraphy, and inspired by expressive Moroccan lettering, the resulting designs feature generous curves and joyful variations, rendering Aisha a historically informed typeface for contemporary requirements, with a wide range of weights in both Arabic and Latin.
“Y no hace falta ser un entendido en tipografía árabe, creo, para concluir que Aisha es de lo mejorcito en un género, el de las fundiciones árabes de estilo magrebí, …”
— A. Giménez Reíllo
“Congrats on the reworked Aisha. Ranging figures seems – in hindsight – like a no-brainer for Arabic; great touch!”
— David Lemon, Adobe Type
Nemeth describes the model for Aisha as ‘curious and very playful’ — which is exactly what makes Aisha so attractive. The loopy, brush-like quality of the Arabic makes a smooth transition into the Latin version; both scripts exude a lively playfulness.
— Jan Middendorp for 8 Faces magazine
Designed by: Titus Nemeth
Published: 2011
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Titus Nemeth is a type designer and typographer with specialist expertise in the Arabic script. He works as an independent designer and typographic consultant, building on his substantial experience and research in the field.
His original type designs have won multiple internationally renowned awards and are widely used for complex, cross-cultural, visual communication. Titus’ practice combines the making and the use of type, as he is convinced that both aspects inform each other: ‘the better I understand how type is used, the better I can design for it’.
Titus holds a PhD, and an MA in Typeface Design, from the University of Reading, UK, and a diploma in Graphic Design from Die Graphische in Vienna, Austria. He has taught type design and typography at a number of schools in France, Morocco, Qatar, and the United Kingdom.
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