Cocijotype

Part 0. Introduction to the Designer

Q. Hello, designer Elí Castellanos, could you please introduce yourself?

I am Elí Castellanos, a font designer and developer based in Mexico, and a member of Cocijotype. We create custom fonts for a diverse clientele and provide services like TrueType hinting and font mastering to other foundries.

Q. How did you start designing fonts?

I wanted to design fonts since I was a graphic design student, but there weren’t enough learning opportunities in Mexico. So, I started designing and creating fonts with the help of websites like ‘typophile.’

Q. What keywords would describe Cocijotype?

Mexico, tradition, and flavor. Our designs strongly reflect Mexican culture. For example, the Calavera font is inspired by the traditional Mexican Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead related image

Image 1 of Calavera font: Calavera Five

Image 2 of Calavera font: Calavera Pattern

Q. [Balance Game] Using only fonts you've created VS only using fonts created by others for life. Which would you choose?

I'd use my own fonts since I can expand or adjust them as needed!

Part 1. Introduction to 'Barrilito' Font

Q. If you had to choose one font to represent Cocijotype, which would it be?

That's a tough question, but I'd choose Barrilito. It playfully captures part of the culture with its small counters and diverse ligatures, making it great for headlines.

Image of Barrilito font

Q. How did 'Barrilito' start?

I began with sketches using linocut, then moved to drawing on paper. This clarified my ideas about the shape, leading to the digital drawing and development of the full character set.

Barrilito sketched in Linocut

Q. Why is the font named 'Barrilito'?

Barrilito means 'small barrel,' chosen for its rounded, barrel-like shape, reflecting the affectionate way Mexicans often speak.

Q. What are the features of 'Barrilito'?

Design-wise, it derives from linocut with small counters and a bubbly axis. It features uppercase and small caps but no lowercase, and includes fun ligatures suitable for titles or subtitles.

Q. What was the most challenging part of the design process?

nitially, I wanted to capture the characteristics of linocut, but once the quality of the strokes was determined, it became more fun to add ligatures, and I enjoyed the work process.

Q. How should one use this font?

It's great for titles or short sentences to create a robust feel, or set in longer texts to provide nice texture.

Q. Could you briefly introduce other fonts as well?

Zipolite: This is a humanist sans-serif font composed of 8 weights, inspired by a beach near my hometown of Oaxaca. It includes a set of designs for uppercase, lowercase, small caps, and various numbers.

Zipolite Image

Calavera: This font is influenced by the traditional Mexican "papel picado" (chopped paper) and the Day of the Dead festival. It features seven styles with various "cut paper" designs and styles with patterns and decorations.

Calavera Image

Pasticcino: This is a high-contrast, slightly modern condensed serif font that provides excellent display lines for branding, magazine titles, and short paragraphs. At first glance, its fresh and modern small caps may remind you of the unique characters of Mexican colonial times. It can be used for great graphic work, combining classic and modern aesthetics, neat yet fun, elegant yet powerful.

Pasticcino Image

Part 2. Designer's Thoughts

Q. What is a 'good' font?

The most important aspect of a font is its proportions, which make it visually appealing. Good forms organize the composition, and fine details add a sophisticated touch.

Q. What does one need to become a font designer?

A mix of obsession, curiosity, persistence, methodology, and planning. Reflecting on your work is a good way to refine your designs.

Q. As a font designer, what are your hopes?

I hope to see my fonts used globally and to maintain my career while meeting new colleagues and friends worldwide.

Q. Can you share your future plans for font creation?

I am developing a display font based on lettering from old Mexican magazines, featuring five weights and italics. I plan to finish this project in a few months.

Part 3. Joining Sandoll Cloud

Q. Why did you choose Sandoll Cloud, and any thoughts?

I chose it hoping that Cocijotype’s fonts would be well-used globally. Sandoll Cloud offers a safe font distribution system and has always seemed sincere about fonts.

Q. A message for the customers waiting for Cocijotype's entry?

I hope you enjoy and explore the various ways to use Cocijotype's fonts. It would thrill me to see them used in Korea!