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Created page with "{{Infobox person | name = Kristyan Sarkis | image = | caption = | birth_date = 18 June 1985 | birth_place = Beirut, Lebanon | nationality = Lebanese | occupation = Type designer, lettering artist | employer = Independent | notable_works = Thuraya, Greta Text Arabic, Colvert Arabic }} '''Kristyan Sarkis''' (Arabic: كريستيان سركيس; born 18 June 1985) is a Lebanese type designer and lettering artist based in Amsterdam. He i..." |
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'''Kristyan Sarkis''' (Arabic: كريستيان سركيس; born 18 June 1985) is a Lebanese type designer and lettering artist based in Amsterdam. He is known for his contributions to contemporary Arabic type design and for co-founding several initiatives dedicated to Arabic typography and design education. | '''Kristyan Sarkis''' (Arabic: كريستيان سركيس; born 18 June 1985) is a Lebanese type designer and lettering artist based in Amsterdam. He is known for his contributions to contemporary Arabic type design and for co-founding several initiatives dedicated to Arabic typography and design education. | ||
== Early life and education == | == Early life and education == | ||
Sarkis was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1985. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, developing an interest in type design under the mentorship of Yara Khoury. | Sarkis was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1985. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, developing an interest in type design under the mentorship of Yara Khoury. After graduation, he worked at AlMohtaraf Studio, completing his first type design project. He earned a Master of Design in Type & Media from the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague in 2010. | ||
== Career == | == Career == | ||
Sarkis works independently in Amsterdam, focusing on Arabic type design and lettering. His approach combines traditional Arabic calligraphy with contemporary typographic practices.<ref name=":4"/> He co-founded: | Sarkis works independently in Amsterdam, focusing on Arabic type design and lettering. His approach combines traditional Arabic calligraphy with contemporary typographic practices.<ref name=":4"/> He co-founded: | ||
* '''TPTQ Arabic''', a type foundry and design studio specializing in Arabic fonts, with Peter Biľak in 2015. | * '''TPTQ Arabic''', a type foundry and design studio specializing in Arabic fonts, with Peter Biľak in 2015. | ||
* '''Arabic Type Design — Beirut''', an international educational program for Arabic type design. | * '''Arabic Type Design — Beirut''', an international educational program for Arabic type design. | ||
* '''Arabic Lettering Workshops''', a traveling workshop series with over 20 sessions to date. | * '''Arabic Lettering Workshops''', a traveling workshop series with over 20 sessions to date. | ||
He has collaborated with Apple, MoMA, Mozilla, the Louvre, Typotheque, HW/Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Philippe Apeloig, Dalton Maag, Interbrand Singapore, and other studios.<ref name=":2"/> | He has collaborated with Apple, MoMA, Mozilla, the Louvre, Typotheque, HW/Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Philippe Apeloig, Dalton Maag, Interbrand Singapore, and other studios.<ref name=":2"/> | ||
== Typefaces and projects == | == Typefaces and projects == | ||
Notable typefaces and projects include Thuraya, Greta Text Arabic (with Peter Biľak), and Colvert Arabic. He contributed the Arabic typeface for the Louvre Abu Dhabi signage system (2017) and worked on the Arabic version of Lineto's LL Unica77. | Notable typefaces and projects include Thuraya, Greta Text Arabic (with Peter Biľak), and Colvert Arabic. He contributed the Arabic typeface for the Louvre Abu Dhabi signage system (2017) and worked on the Arabic version of Lineto's LL Unica77. | ||
=== Design approach === | === Design approach === | ||
His type families reflect historical and typographic research: | His type families reflect historical and typographic research: | ||
* '''Qandus''', exploring early solid Arabic styles from Eastern Kufic to Western Maghribi forms. | * '''Qandus''', exploring early solid Arabic styles from Eastern Kufic to Western Maghribi forms. | ||
* '''Mizan''', examining hierarchy in Arabic manuscripts and typography. | * '''Mizan''', examining hierarchy in Arabic manuscripts and typography. | ||
He distinguishes type design from lettering, noting that type design requires systematic thinking and consistency across contexts, while lettering is often project-specific. | He distinguishes type design from lettering, noting that type design requires systematic thinking and consistency across contexts, while lettering is often project-specific. | ||
=== Classification of Arabic script === | === Classification of Arabic script === | ||
Sarkis classifies Arabic script into: | Sarkis classifies Arabic script into: | ||
# '''Solid scripts''' (e.g., Kufic) emphasizing geometric structure. | # '''Solid scripts''' (e.g., Kufic) emphasizing geometric structure. | ||
# '''Fluid scripts''' (e.g., Naskh, Diwani) emphasizing calligraphic expressiveness. | # '''Fluid scripts''' (e.g., Naskh, Diwani) emphasizing calligraphic expressiveness. | ||
== Teaching and lectures == | == Teaching and lectures == | ||
Sarkis teaches internationally, including at KABK Type & Media Master Program, Lebanese American University, ESAV Marrakech, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He also conducts workshops and lectures on Arabic lettering and typography. | Sarkis teaches internationally, including at KABK Type & Media Master Program, Lebanese American University, ESAV Marrakech, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He also conducts workshops and lectures on Arabic lettering and typography. | ||
== Awards == | == Awards == | ||
His work has received the Type Directors Club Certificate of Typographic Excellence, the ATypI Letter.2 award, and the European Design Award. | His work has received the Type Directors Club Certificate of Typographic Excellence, the ATypI Letter.2 award, and the European Design Award. | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 05:43, 1 December 2025
| Kristyan Sarkis | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 18 June 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Nationality | Lebanese |
| Occupation | Type designer, lettering artist |
| Notable Works | Thuraya, Greta Text Arabic, Colvert Arabic |
Kristyan Sarkis (Arabic: كريستيان سركيس; born 18 June 1985) is a Lebanese type designer and lettering artist based in Amsterdam. He is known for his contributions to contemporary Arabic type design and for co-founding several initiatives dedicated to Arabic typography and design education.
Early life and education
Sarkis was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1985. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, developing an interest in type design under the mentorship of Yara Khoury. After graduation, he worked at AlMohtaraf Studio, completing his first type design project. He earned a Master of Design in Type & Media from the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague in 2010.
Career
Sarkis works independently in Amsterdam, focusing on Arabic type design and lettering. His approach combines traditional Arabic calligraphy with contemporary typographic practices.[1] He co-founded:
- TPTQ Arabic, a type foundry and design studio specializing in Arabic fonts, with Peter Biľak in 2015.
- Arabic Type Design — Beirut, an international educational program for Arabic type design.
- Arabic Lettering Workshops, a traveling workshop series with over 20 sessions to date.
He has collaborated with Apple, MoMA, Mozilla, the Louvre, Typotheque, HW/Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Philippe Apeloig, Dalton Maag, Interbrand Singapore, and other studios.[2]
Typefaces and projects
Notable typefaces and projects include Thuraya, Greta Text Arabic (with Peter Biľak), and Colvert Arabic. He contributed the Arabic typeface for the Louvre Abu Dhabi signage system (2017) and worked on the Arabic version of Lineto's LL Unica77.
Design approach
His type families reflect historical and typographic research:
- Qandus, exploring early solid Arabic styles from Eastern Kufic to Western Maghribi forms.
- Mizan, examining hierarchy in Arabic manuscripts and typography.
He distinguishes type design from lettering, noting that type design requires systematic thinking and consistency across contexts, while lettering is often project-specific.
Classification of Arabic script
Sarkis classifies Arabic script into:
- Solid scripts (e.g., Kufic) emphasizing geometric structure.
- Fluid scripts (e.g., Naskh, Diwani) emphasizing calligraphic expressiveness.
Teaching and lectures
Sarkis teaches internationally, including at KABK Type & Media Master Program, Lebanese American University, ESAV Marrakech, and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. He also conducts workshops and lectures on Arabic lettering and typography.
Awards
His work has received the Type Directors Club Certificate of Typographic Excellence, the ATypI Letter.2 award, and the European Design Award.
External links
- [[1](https://kristyan-sarkis.com/) Official Website]
- [[2](https://tptq-arabic.com/) TPTQ Arabic]