Movement: Capturing the Grace and Beauty of Dance Through Typography

Movement, the captivating variable font created by Noel Pretorius and María Ramos, is inspired by the art of dance. This project began as a collaboration with Design Indaba and the contemporary dancer Andile Vellem, and was further enhanced by exploring the movement theories of the historical choreographer Rudolf Laban. Laban's framework for describing movement focused on the dancer's inner intention which was carefully studied in Andile's movements. Three main elements; weight, space, and time, were taken into account when creating the typeface. The typeface features two distinct design extremes, Direct and Indirect. The Direct style is characterized by straight strokes while the Indirect style is defined by curved shapes. The variants in between the extremes represent the changes of movement in time. The Direct Black and Direct Thin options are bold and show the dancer's strength, while the Indirect Black and Indirect Thin varieties are more delicate and reflect the subtle nuances of movement. Movement is a truly unique typeface that captures the grace and beauty of dance. It conveys the intricate details of movement which can be captured in the subtlest of shapes. With its four design extremes and the variants in between, it allows for endless possibilities of creativity and expression. This typeface offers a beautiful way to explore the beauty of movement and how it can be expressed through typography.