INTRODUCTION
Templars is a typeface with variations that aims to build a new identity for Temple Cowley, Oxford.
Temple Cowley has a rich history of knoble knights and holy wars, however, this knowledge has faded away over the years. The location is now recognised for its industrial buildings as well as hosting a range of cultures.
Templars celebrates the past and present of this hot spot, and hopes to help enrich the future of Temple Cowley.
HISTORY
Temple Cowley’s history dates back to Roman and Anglo-Saxon times. Settlements and pottery sites have been discovered around Cowley. Moreover, the Knights Templar were residents of Temple Cowley between 1139 and 1240.
Knights Templar was an organised group of Christians during the medieval era. Their mission was to protect the European travellers visiting the various sites in the Holy Land.
After Christian armies captured Jerusalem from Muslim control in 1099, the pilgrims from across Western Europe started visiting the Holy Land. Many of them, however, were robbed and killed as they crossed through these Muslim-controlled lands during their journey.
In 1118, Hugues de Payens, created a military order called the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon - later shortened to the Knights Templar.
Late in the 12th century, Jerusalem was retaken by Muslim armies which turned the favour of the Crusades. In turn, this forced the Knights Templar to relocate several times. In 1291, The Fall of Acre marked the death of the last remaining Crusader refuge in the Holy Land. Over the following decades, European support dwindled and many religous leaders became more critical of the Templar’s wealth and power.
By 1303, the Knights lost their only stance in the Muslim world and moved base to Paris. This is where King Philip IV of France resolved to bring down the order.
ABOUT THE FONT
Templars was designed using a grid as the base to standardize the hight and width of each letterform. The reasoning behind keeping the grid in the designs is twofold; firstly it shows how the typeface was designed, and secondly the linear structure conveys stablity and reassurance much alike the cross on the Knights Templars uniform. Moreover, the red cross inspired the introduction of the colour red into the visual identity adding more personality to the typeface.
GRAFFITI
Plenty of research went into this project and it all began with exploring the area of Temple Cowley. From this I found and photographed graffiti around every corner and knew that it must play a part in the typeface.
Initially I drew various letters from the images I’d taken, but then took it a step further by creating graffiti-like letterforms in Blender. I then traced and expanded the letterforms in Illustrator to create the mono letterforms used in the typeface.
RULES
It is important in any project to be able to justify the decisions behind your designs, and this project is no different. I attempted to lead this project with research, which in turn led me to every idea. For example, I found that Temple Cowley has a high turn over of residence and I know that I want to attract a younger audience from all different backgrounds. This led me to create a dynamic typeface with many variations.
During the design of the mockups, I was randomly sprinkling the 3D letterforms throughout the text. It wasn’t until I stepped back that I realised that it would be more effective to use them at the beginning of every title/phrase.