When designing a Devanagari and Latin typeface, it’s important to start by draw the Latin alongside the Devanagari. These two pages from Aksharaya’s Devanagari Calligraphy Manual can be used as a reference for pen angle and letter proportions.
It is helpful to do some calligraphy or closely study writing manuals to learn how the script works, so you understand which letters should be like which other letters in structure.
Devanagari Glyphsĭevanagari fonts contain these different types of glyphs: The unique benefit of libre in libre fonts is that you can modify and reuse them for new purposes that their initial creators never thought of - for example, designing a Devanagari and adapting an existing Latin font to go with it.
Thanks to Adam Twardoch, Erin McLaughlin, Neelakash Kshetrimayum, Dan Reynolds, Pooja Saxena, Dr Girish Dalvi for contributing many of the ideas on this page.ĭesigning a new and original Devanagari typeface follows a process much like the process for a new and original Latin.
