Kobata
Tunera · Ariel Martín Pérez · 2020
A rule-based experimental face built solely from rectangles and circles, producing a geometric rhythm with glitch-like visual interference.
About
Designed by Ariel Martín Pérez and released under the SIL Open Font License, Kobata restricts its construction to two shapes: rectangles, which may only meet at corners, and circles, the sole shape permitted optical correction beyond the 50×50 UPM grid. The result draws loose references from calligraphy, embroidery and pixel art, with vertical stroke repetition generating a visual interference akin to a digital glitch, while circular counters read as dark spots on the page. A bold style and variable version were added in March 2020, with the bold pushing further from the grid to introduce new contrast variation.
Classification
Built entirely from rectangles and circles on a strict grid, Kobata is a rigorously geometric experimental display face with no conventional typographic construction; its rule-based structure and visual interference effects place it firmly in the display category.