The Influence of historical scripts on contemporary calligraphy and type design

Abstract Traditionally, calligraphers and palaeographers seldom co-operate or collaborate. This is somewhat surprising considering both disciplines deal with the written texts in one form or another. One could argue that if we learn from each other’s respective fields, it would be mutually beneficial and enrich each other’s practice. This paper discusses the relationship between calligraphy, palaeography, and type design. It focuses on the question of how a calligrapher might approach and analyse a manuscript and how historical scripts have been an inspirational area for contemporary calligraphy and type design. This paper is written from a practitioner’s perspective in describing the processes of how calligraphy is analysed. From looking at manuscripts and documents, what elements can be obtained to develop ideas into design and artwork? What are the processes involved in using both traditional and digital methods? In contemporary calligraphy, what cross-cultural elements can we learn to enrich our traditions? This paper will use examples of my work and that of others as models for discussion.