Typeface designers seek public funding, input about font designed for Chattanooga

An view of a stencil form of Chatype used in a bike lane. The typeface designers said several different forms, also called font families, will be created for use in different ways. Some will not have the stencil effect and will be more readable. (Photo: Contributed)

After participating in entrepreneurial event 48-Hour Launch to initiate their vision of having a typeface designed specifically for Chattanooga, two local residents are asking for community help in funding the project. 

Local typeface designers Robbie de Villiers and Jeremy Dooley have been working on their vision to create a typeface uniquely for the city called Chatype.

They want to create the Chattanooga font—with four weights and style sets that would allow for unique font customization for each district and major subsection of the Chattanooga area—and make it available without cost. 

They are working with local branding firm D+J to launch a Kickstarter crowd-funded campaign to support the project. 

Dooley, owner of Insigne Design and de Villiers, owner of Wilton Foundry, have years of experience as graphic and typeface designers and have developed typeface families for organizations throughout the U.S. and overseas.

They will also host an open forum Jan. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Camp House on Williams Street.

Dooley, de Villiers and their team will be at the event to present the status and direction of the project to the community and get feedback from those in attendance. 

Updated @ 9:21 a.m. on 01/25/12 to fix a typographical error.