Seeking the Korean true italic

"Can a true italic be designed for Korean"?  

Korea does not have a history of integrating italic and upright forms like in Latin-based scripts. Yet use of mechanically obliqued forms are increasingly common in signage, magazines and books throughout the country. These characters are misshapen, lack proportion and unpleasant to read. However, no published typeface even includes an oblique, let alone a designed, true italic.

During my studies at the University of Reading, I investigated the possibilities of a true italic for Korean with my typeface Saja. This presentation will document Saja's true italic and discuss the considerations necessary to even approach such a project.

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