Abstract:
Variable typography allows designers and programmers to fully leverage the capabilities of Responsive Web Design by modifying or animating the typeface. This study was conducted to analyse and design a dynamic variable Sinhala typeface that changes letters to letters or word to word. The research goals included using an existing typeface to use in making the transitions; analysing an existing Sinhala typeface to map out the issues of using the existing typeface; overcoming the issues identified by introducing a grid to develop a new typeface; and testing the legibility of the newly developed typeface, to generate different letter-to-letter or word-to-word animations using the developed typeface. Letter-to-letter or word-to-word variable transitions can be implemented in a web and interactive designs to enhance the engagement of the users with the corresponding digital medium. This Sinhala variable typeface can be combined with a variety of factors such as user interactions, mouse interactions, facial gestures, sound, light etc. This study shows the possibilities to create and design functioning Sinhala responsive variable typefaces with a well-founded framework, and possibilities to adapt them in any compatible systems.
