Welcome to the Vernacular Type Project, an online collection of images documenting hand‑lettered and hand‑crafted vernacular signage from around the world.
Vernacular typography (or type) consists of letterforms and typography specific to a particular place, reflecting its unique visual culture. Crafted by designers, artisans, and untrained creators, vernacular type often features unique or unconventional letterforms. It uses a variety of materials—from hand-painted letters to words created out of bamboo, neon tubes, shell, or mosaic tiles.
More about the project More about vernacular typography“Typography is most decidedly about place, and the flavour it takes from a specific location.”
—The Bloomsbury Handbook
of Global Typography
Recent Article
Dash of the Brushstroke
In this interview design educator and typographic researcher Steffi Neukirchen discusses her Signs of Saigon project.
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Recent Gallery
Plaques in Morocco
This collection of tile wall plaques in Morocco showcases the lettering potential of this medium.
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Recent Story
Morocco
Explore the vernacular signage of this country in North Africa, and its unique mixture of people, languages, and scripts.
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Become a Contributor
Throughout this site you will see many striking examples of vernacular typography from across the globe. If you get inspired, you too can contribute to this growing collection!
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