Type Electives Lecture Series:

Drawing Vietnamese Diacritics with Thy Hà

Join us for a series of insightful conversations exploring the challenges of language support, diacritic design, and the role of type design in language revitalization. Our guests will share their experiences designing for diverse languages and scripts, offering both practical insights and critical perspectives

In this session we’ll be speaking with Thy Hà about Drawing Vietnamese Diacritics, one of the most complex diacritic systems in the Latin script. We’ll explore the nuances of designing Vietnamese diacritics, from structural considerations to ensuring clarity and legibility across different type styles. We'll also dive into broader questions: How do diacritics shape the reading experience? What are common design pitfalls? And how can type designers better support Vietnamese language?

Whether you're a type designer, linguist, or just curious about the intersection of language and typography, this session will offer valuable insights into the delicate balance of form, function, and cultural identity in type design.

This session will feature a short presentation, followed by a conversation moderated by Juan and Lynne, and an open Q&A for the attendees.

Send us your questions through our Instagram @typeelectives

The event will be hosted online via Zoom.

We look forward to having you with us!

Thy Hà

Thy Hà (she/her) is a Vietnamese UX/UI and type designer based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia, whose work focuses on creating digital experiences and developing Vietnamese-localised typefaces. Her creative practice challenges traditional paradigms and defies Western-centric narratives by merging cultural identity, digital media, and typographic history into inclusive, context-rich designs. As a proud member of the Lưu Chữ and Counter Forms collectives and a Malee Scholarship 2021 finalist, Thy continues to push creative boundaries while celebrating her cultural heritage. Currently, she is exploring why Cooper Black has become a national phenomenon in Vietnam.

Instagram: @mightymaithy