The Cherokee syllabary, created by Sequoyah two-hundred years ago, was quickly adapted for printing upon its adoption and has since been integrated into almost every successive new technology, from typewriters to computers to smart phones. Over that period of time, however, the look of the syllabary has changed very little. Aside from one or two notable exceptions, the syllabary is still most often represented in a style similar to the original metal type. Stylistic diversity is important for the vitality of a written language, but how can we begin to approach designing new styles for a script with so few models?

Join type designer and Cherokee Nation citizen Chris Skillern for an exploration of the syllabary and the challenges it presents, and get a look at his process when designing for the syllabary.

Chris will be referencing Gilcrease Museum online collections