'Tussenruimte'

This project brings together two worlds and tries to strike a balance between Latin and Cyrillic script. After Dragan immigrated to Belgium from Serbia (2011), his parents and he had to learn to read and write a new alphabet. That inspired him to design an alphabet that would be readable by people native to Belgium as well as by people from Serbia. His project / alphabet was incorporated into his book / thesis. Throughout the text, the reader will find words in the alphabet I designed. The aim is to confront native readers with a new alphabet, which is more difficult, but certainly readable. It illustrates the sense of alienation and confusion an immigrant often feels when overwhelmed by documents and letters. He also visited the reception centre in Lanaken and photographed it, bringing the immigrant’s experience into focus and opening a door to the unknown.

The jury on 'Tussenruimte':

‘Tussenruimte’ (Interval) is a poetic and personal project focusing on the experiences of immigrants and refugees. It brings together Latin and Cyrillic script in a beautiful publication and a new font. As a result, it succeeds in bridging two worlds through design and raising awareness among a wide audience. This is a particularly important message in today’s society. The project gave the jury goosebumps. Here we see a new talent convincingly making an entrance into the world of graphic design and typography.

The jury’s comments about this project: 

‘Tussenruimte’ (Interval) is a poetic and personal project focusing on the experiences of immigrants and refugees. It brings together Latin and Cyrillic script in a beautiful publication and a new font. As a result, it succeeds in bridging two worlds through design and raising awareness among a wide audience. This is a particularly important message in today’s society. The project gave the jury goosebumps. Here we see a new talent convincingly making an entrance into the world of graphic design and typography.

What does this award mean to you?

This award promotes the visibility of my project and alphabet. A second acknowledgement for me as a graphic and font designer embracing his roots and two cultures. It signifies the interest of the reader and their will to explore 'Tussenruimte' (Interval) and Times New ROMA. Times New Roma intrigues viewers and invites them to decipher it, to examine it and to understand a story.

How did the idea for this project come about?

During my studies at LUCA School of Arts, I went in search of something that connects both the old-me and the new, Flemish-me. Something that testifies to a re-discovered identity after an asylum procedure. Solution: casting my two existences, two languages and cultures, two alphabets into a new one. Wanting to understand my own identity and thus those who have to flee. A font as an ode to everything that exists together.

How does it contribute to a better world?

Times New ROMA exemplifies a harmonious existence. Two worlds, East and West that seem far apart, yet cast together into one. Two existences that I know, two cultures and two languages interacting and producing a new alphabet. It is special because it gives hope, I hope, both to natives and immigrants. Understanding each other and knowing each other’s language breaks down the unknown and creates a bond.