Indian Type Foundry Variable Fonts Project
Open-source variable fonts for Indian scripts.
In 2019, the Indian Type Foundry launched an open-source project to build responsive digital fonts for Indian writing systems. The Indian Type Foundry Variable Fonts Project relies on variable font technology, which follows the OpenType 1.8 specification, to improve multilingual typography on web and mobile platforms across South Asia.
The Indian Type Foundry itself was co-founded in 2009 by Satya Rajpurohit and Peter Biľak in Ahmedabad, India. It has long focused on high-quality digital typefaces for scripts like Devanagari, Bengali, Tamil, and Gujarati. After Microsoft, Adobe, and Google released the OpenType 1.8 format in 2016—introducing variable fonts—ITF began adapting this flexible technology for non-Latin scripts.
The project’s main goals are to create variable fonts with OpenType 1.8 support for major Indian writing systems, promote consistent and responsive typography for web and mobile use, and improve regional language access through better digital font rendering. Many of its fonts are released under the SIL Open Font License and are available through platforms like Google Fonts.
As of 2024, the project has produced several open-source variable fonts for Indian scripts. These include Teko VF, which supports Devanagari and Latin, and Yatra One VF, optimized for Devanagari. The fonts feature adjustable axes such as weight and width, allowing dynamic rendering across different screen sizes and platforms. They are commonly used in educational platforms, user interfaces, and multilingual publications.
The project has been recognized for advancing accessibility and innovation in South Asian typography. Google Fonts Knowledge described it as "a milestone in multilingual variable typography." Its fonts have been adopted by Indian digital media platforms like Scroll.in and The Ken, as well as in educational programs run by the EkStep Foundation. Earlier press coverage from outlets such as The Hindu and Quartz India noted the shortage of font options for Indian languages and highlighted the importance of such efforts.
The project has also been cited in academic and design research. For example, Ghosh (2022) discussed it in the *International Journal of Design Research*, and Mehta & Banerjee (2023) referenced it in a University of Hyderabad Press publication on variable fonts and language accessibility in the Indian web ecosystem.
Quick Facts
- Established
- 2019
- Founder
- Indian Type Foundry
- Products
- Variable fonts for Indian scripts
- Location
- Ahmedabad, India
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Indian Type Foundry, co-founded in 2009 by Satya Rajpurohit and Peter Biľak, is based in Ahmedabad, India. It specializes in designing high-quality digital typefaces for Indian scripts such as Devanagari, Bengali, Tamil, and Gujarati. With the release of the OpenType 1.8 format in 2016 by Microsoft, Adobe, and Google, which introduced variable fonts, ITF began adapting this flexible technology for non-Latin writing systems.
The Variable Fonts Project addresses the lack of typographic flexibility for Indian scripts in digital environments. Its key goals include developing variable fonts with OpenType 1.8 support for major Indian writing systems, promoting responsive and consistent typography for web and mobile platforms, and enhancing regional language access through better digital font rendering. The project releases many of its fonts under the SIL Open Font License via platforms like Google Fonts.
As of 2024, the project has produced several open-source variable fonts for Indian scripts, including Teko VF (supporting Devanagari and Latin) and Yatra One VF (optimized for Devanagari). These fonts include adjustable axes such as weight and width, enabling dynamic rendering across different screen sizes and platforms. They are widely used in educational platforms, user interfaces, and multilingual publications.
Reader's Guide
The Indian Type Foundry Variable Fonts Project has received recognition for its contributions to accessibility and innovation in South Asian typography. The Google Fonts Knowledge blog referred to the initiative as 'a milestone in multilingual variable typography.' Fonts developed by the project have been adopted by Indian digital media platforms like Scroll.in and The Ken, and in educational programs led by the EkStep Foundation. Earlier press coverage by sources such as The Hindu and Quartz India highlighted the lack of sufficient font options for Indian languages and emphasized the emerging importance of such efforts. The project has been cited in academic and design research studies related to Indic scripts and language accessibility, including works by Ghosh (2022) and Mehta & Banerjee (2023). Despite its success, the project has faced implementation challenges including low awareness among developers and digital designers in India, compatibility issues with older browsers or operating systems, and limited institutional support and funding for non-Latin type design.
Did You Know?
- The project was launched in 2019 by the Indian Type Foundry.
- It uses variable font technology based on the OpenType 1.8 specification.
- Fonts produced include Teko VF and Yatra One VF.
- The project has been cited in academic research on Indic scripts and language accessibility.
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