Reimagining Indic scripts through a pixel grid.
I've always been drawn to typefaces — especially the expressive world of Indic scripts. But unlike Latin, where stylistic variety is endless, Indic typefaces often feel visually similar. That sparked a question: what would it look like if we reinterpreted these scripts through a completely different structural lens?
Pixelated began as a personal exploration to understand Indic letterforms more deeply by placing them inside a strict pixel grid, and eventually building a cohesive three-script type system around that idea.
- Role
- Typeface Designer — Solo
- Type
- Side Project · Multi-script Type System
- Scripts
- Devanagari · Gurmukhi · Gujarati
- Scope / Deliverables
- 3× single-weight fonts (TTF), specimen book, glyph sets, modular patterns
- Tools
- FontStruct · Illustrator · InDesign
- Focus
- Grid-based construction · Script anatomy · Multi-script consistency
Context
Indic scripts are rich, expressive, and structurally complex. But the way they are commonly digitised tends to stay within traditional curves and calligraphic interpretations. I wanted to push them into a digital-native form, using the pixel — the smallest unit of digital screens — as both limitation and identity.
This became a way to study:
- anatomy of each script
- similarities across Devanagari, Gurmukhi, and Gujarati
- how they behave inside a modular grid
- how form adapts when every curve becomes a block
Problem
Turning highly organic, curved Indic letterforms into pixel structures isn't straightforward.
Challenges included:
- retaining recognisable identity
- simplifying curves without losing meaning
- maintaining proportions for legibility
- handling matras and script-specific features
- balancing counter spaces and stroke density
Each script needed to feel consistent within itself and across the family.
Approach
A grid-first method.
All forms were built on a 10×10 pixel grid, with additional upper/lower space where scripts required matras.
To keep curves readable, I used proportion rules for each script:
- Devanagari: 3:10:3 ratio
- Gurmukhi: 5:10:4 ratio
- Gujarati: 3:10:3 ratio
This ensured enough vertical room to represent curves and counters properly.
A multi-script mindset.
Although I didn't originally know Gurmukhi or Gujarati, designing within a grid helped me understand their structure — how curves behave, how strokes transition, and where visual weight naturally sits.
Tools
- FontStruct (core construction, TTF files)
- Illustrator (form breakdowns, patterns)
- InDesign (book layout, specimen design)
The System
Pixelated became a three-font Indic family, each script tuned to the same grid but adjusted to keep its character intact.
Devanagari
- Maintains the shirorekha
- Pixel-simplified curves
- Balanced counters for legibility
- Works well for short headers and patterns
- Base font for the project identity and book cover
Example Usage
Gujarati
- No headline connection, so forms rely more on baseline balance
- Very curve-heavy, interesting challenges in pixel reduction
- Surprising visual harmony with the others
Example Usage
Gurmukhi
- Built on a wider proportion ratio
- Required more pixel steps for rounded transitions
- Holds a strong, balanced visual rhythm
Example Usage
Patterns & Forms
Parts of letters were recomposed into geometric patterns, showing how modular these scripts become when pixelated — one of the most visually rewarding parts of the project.
Devanagari Patterns
Gujarati Patterns
Gurmukhi Patterns
Final Output
Three functional single-weight fonts (TTF)
Full letter sets for all scripts (excluding numerals)
A curated specimen book titled Pixelated, showcasing:
- script intros
- anatomy breakdown
- proportional guides
- full akshar sets
- text samples
- modular patterns
The book itself became the perfect medium to demonstrate cohesiveness across scripts.
Pixelated Specimen Book
Browse the full Pixelated specimen book below to see the scripts, construction logic, and patterns in sequence.
Hosted on PubHTML5 — best experienced fullscreen.
Learnings & Reflection
This project deepened my understanding of:
- how anatomy differs across Indic scripts
- how grid constraints shape design decisions
- how proportions define recognisability
- how to build a unified multi-script system
- how simplicity can reveal structure
If I revisit this someday, I'd expand the family with numerals, weights, and maybe even italic variations — something rarely explored in Indic type design.
What This Project Represents
Pixelated is a reminder of why I design — curiosity, structure, experimentation, and the joy of understanding things at their fundamentals.
It's not a client project.
Not a college assignment.
Just a personal exploration that strengthened my craft, my eye, and my system-thinking — qualities that naturally reflect in my product work today.