Lara Captan

Talk title: Confessions from the crossroads of aesthetics & technology

The Netherlands

Lara is an independent Arabic type designer & typographer based in Amsterdam. Since 2005, she embarked on a long, silent road to discover the history and mechanics of the Arabic script with one constant aim: The wish to create Arabic typefaces that spring from the graphic heritage of Arabic writing yet transform the past in search for modernity.

Lara holds a BFA in Graphic Design from the American University of Beirut [2006], a Masters in Advanced Typography from the Escola de Disseny i Art [Barcelona, 2011], and a Certificate in Type Design from the Cooper Union [New York, 2012]. She taught design and typography at the American University of Beirut between 2006 and 2013 then moved to the Netherlands where she became an apprentice in DecoType’s ACE technology for Arabic type.

Website: www.laracaptan.com

Workshop Title: Variations on the letter Waw
March 7, 12:00 - 16:00 at DAI

In this workshop, we will be looking at the evolution and construction of Arabic letter Waw through time, space and techniques. Then, based on a historical example, every participant will experiment with their own Waw lettering or series of Waw letterings. Participants will explore moving from light to bold, testing the meaning of a different posture in Arabic and playing with the possibilities of connecting or disconnecting script and type design principles. This workshop will fully be in hand-drawing with the exception of participants with physical disabilities.