Yo La Tengo
Calligraphy Mural

In early 2020 I had the chance to collaborate with Homem Em Catarse on the occasion of the release of his latest album. For the video of the single ‘Yo La Tengo’, I painted an almost abstract calligraphy mural. I tried to emulate the hypnotic sensation of the song. With an ever-crescendo of a looping instrumental, it builds up until the end, where you can barely hear its name.

With the act of painting, I followed the same intention. I started to slowly write with distinct and readable words and built up the intensity with overlapping words, written in more and more emotion. The final texture was, in the end, to be felt rather than read. For the ending shot of the video, I painted the name in straight letters on top of the composition.

For: Homem Em Catarse
Curatorship: Mistaker Maker

Plastic paint on concrete wall • 2x2mt • Jan 2020

Final shots

joaoistyping joao joão varela tipografia

Video by Vasco Mendes

Process & Video Frames

Yo La Tengo
Calligraphy Mural

For: Homem Em Catarse
Curatorship: Mistaker Maker

Plastic paint on concrete wall • 2x2mt • Jan 2020

Final shots

Video by Vasco Mendes

Process & Video Frames

Typefaces

→ Graphic Design

[01] Klinger–Type Type–Design 2020

This sharp serif style surprised me for its unique singularities and details. It had a distinctive, aggressive feeling while at the same time, a steady and very geometric sense. I developed this source with a revival exercise guided by François Rapppo at Écal Master Type Design.

The original designer was Julius Klinger, an Austrian graphic and type designer. He witnessed the Vienna Secession, and the Jugendstil marked his work. Klinger Type is, at the same time, a stylistic and rational approach. The symmetry and geometric curves contrast the overly-designed serifs, terminals and distinctive details.

[02] Hooper–Condensed Type–Design 2022

Clothing line design for the 2022 summer launch of Hoopers PT.
I was challenged to design some very bold typographic compositions with basketball slang and sayings.

Starting from scratch, I first designed a custom display typeface. Inspired by a literal basketball ball, I like the contrast between straight lines and round curves. The letters are condensed to express the vertical movement of the sport also increased by the high middle bar.
I design two masters to make some width adjustments possible.

The compositions were designed by only cutting, switching, and moving the type around in two dimensions. The lettering pieces are very graphic and mix the movement in sports with streetwear.

Photos by: Chris Costa

[03] Jab Variable Stencil Type–Design 2023