Bachelor's thesis | 2022
This project consists of two typefaces inspired by the traditional tapestries called "fythkiótika", from Paphos, Cyprus.
Each book copy comes with three postcards, showcasing a selected motif and the legends behind the original design and an insert, with the correlation of each character to the key of the latin keyboard.
The book consists of two think books.
The Guide Book is attached to the cover, whilst the Specimen Book is detached.
Above: Specimen Book spreads
Below: Guide Book spreads
Historical facts:
During the late 19th century and early 20th century, most houses in the city of Paphos had a loom (voufa).
In Fyti and other neighboring villages, women started weaving a type of tapestry called "Fythkiótika", also known as “plumista”.
In Fyti and other neighboring villages, women started weaving a type of tapestry called "Fythkiótika", also known as “plumista”.
Fythkiótika tapestries were mainly used as decorative elements, such as pillowcases, bed covers, tablecloths or even sheets. However, in the 19th century they seem to decorate the bottom of women's underwear (povratzi), as well as the shirts of the Cypriot traditional Cypriot uniform.
The textiles were made out of pure cotton string, dyed with natural or chemical dyes. In the weavings, geometric shapes seem to have been predominant, with emphasis on the diamond, complemented with shapes of human figures (mainly girls), animals, palm trees and other plants.
The traditional fytiótika tapestries, follow specific weaving rules and placements of the designs. That's the reason why the guide book was necessary. The typefaces are trying to represent the original system the old weavers created and are still following, however for these motifs experimentation is encouraged.
To research how the typefaces can be used in different artistic ways, a few prints were made using printing methods such as: screen printing and linocut printing, with the technical help of Paris Christodoulou:
Exhibitions:
"Dear Cyprus", Nicosia, Cyprus
"Revive 2023", High Commission of Cyprus in London, UK
"Awareness 2023", Nicosia, Cyprus
Disclaimer: The typeface is currently not available for use to the public. If you would like to see how they work, please reach out to me at: natalitouloupou@gmail.com