Dana Al Assir

Meza is a typeface family inspired by the Andalusi 18th-century script. It’s quite an unusual script because the weight changes across the letters, unlike the usual Arabic rule of thick horizontals and thin verticals. I started with my humanistic typeface to get my proportions right and added elements like thin endings and varying weights to resemble my reference. However, the shape was getting lost and turning into something unrecognizable. As Jean Francois put it, “Are you drawing letters or what?”

So, I went back to calligraphy, which was a nightmare for me: being left-handed and used to Arabic calligraphy, I would draw the strokes from right to left, not following the proper ductus. Despite these challenges, I didn’t give up. My university professor always said, “When you’re stuck, use different tools.” I did, and it worked. I was making progress.

After a lot of back and forth, drawing letters on tracing paper, I ended up with something that hinted at my source: fluidity, movement, and playfulness. I started with the regular weight for text, but the biggest challenge was the lack of consistent contrast—sometimes the verticals were thicker than the horizontals and vice versa. But finally, we made it! And then came the fun part: the black weight, which was closer to my objective and really satisfying. Seeing my typeface interpolate was magic!

Next was the third master, a reverse contrast of the black to finally achieve what I envisioned. The reverse black contrast is narrower, with the same stem thickness as the regular but much thicker horizontals, pronounced curves, exaggerated serifs, and points that connect, creating wave-like forms. SO COOL! Interpolating it was challenging, but who doesn’t like a challenge?

Everything was coming together nicely, but I needed a fourth master to complete the square and make the typeface dance. The final master is a narrow, reverse contrast regular. Finally, I have a cohesive, playful typeface family, with 2 axes made out of 4 masters: regular, black, black reverse contrast and regular reverse contrast. Also some italics for emphasis!

Meza, named after the traditional Lebanese appetizer spread with a variety of flavorful dishes, truly represents that variety and would be perfect for display in cultural, funky events!

This wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing feedback from Mahieu, Marc, Malou, Julie, Gina, Jean Francois, Rainer, all the guest advisors and most importantly, the band Italic Panic and the TypeParis friends. This journey wouldn’t have been the same without you guys! Thank you so much!

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