Jarret, Ho Kai Siang
Designing & Self-Publishing Rabanne
Designing & Self-Publishing Rabanne
Out into the Wild
Six years later, I finally published a typeface. Rabanne was released to the world in late 2025, via my design practice, OHJARRET,CO. It is a one-weight inscriptional typeface, where discipline meets disruption. Suitable for headers, identity systems and other moments that call for presence.
Development
The initial design was completed in 2021 then archived. It began with loose sketches of letterforms to be used for a project. I found myself questioning conventional typographic rules. Why must serifs taper softly? Why can’t they be sharp? Why must stems remain rigid? Why not introduce curvature? Those questions shaped the foundation of Rabanne.
Loose sketches of letterforms.
Further development was informed by the research into Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo (1934 - 2023). More commonly known as Paco Rabanne, who rose to prominence as an enfant terrible of the fashion world in the 1960s. Unorthodox, provocative, and boldly unconventional. Known for his radical approach to material and construction, he challenged expectations in fashion, introducing metal, plastic, and unconventional forms into garments. That tension between structure and disruption became central to the typeface.
Early Development of the Rabanne Typeface in use for an archived project.
Learning about his work and achievements directly contributed and influenced the design of the typeface. The typeface’s unconventional serifs reject calligraphic softness in favor of something more assertive, while its proportions remain controlled and deliberate. The goal was not to replicate any aesthetic, but to translate an attitude into typographic form. Where the tension of discipline and disruption held within a single system.
Although, this self-initiated project began with a different intent. The typeface developed enough conceptual clarity to stand on its own and exist independently. Hence the release in late 2025.
Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo (1934 - 2023)
Feedback
Rabanne is open for use and experimentation. If you encounter any issues, especially across Latin languages, or have any feedback, please feel free to write to me at jarret@ohjarret.com.
Learning and Takeaways
Developing Rabanne as a self-initiated project pushed my practice in unexpected ways. It reinforced the value of questioning default systems in typography or broader creative work. It also led me to think more critically about how design intersects with culture, especially in Singapore, where multiple cultures can coexist.
Available for Download
Rabanne, the typeface is now available under the SIL Open Font License (OFL) version 1.1 for open use and experimentation.
Out into the Wild
Six years later, I finally published a typeface. Rabanne was released to the world in late 2025, via my design practice, OHJARRET,CO. It is a one-weight inscriptional typeface, where discipline meets disruption. Suitable for headers, identity systems and other moments that call for presence.
Development
The initial design was completed in 2021 then archived. It began with loose sketches of letterforms to be used for a project. I found myself questioning conventional typographic rules. Why must serifs taper softly? Why can’t they be sharp? Why must stems remain rigid? Why not introduce curvature? Those questions shaped the foundation of Rabanne.
Loose sketches of letterforms.
Further development was informed by the research into Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo (1934 - 2023). More commonly known as Paco Rabanne, who rose to prominence as an enfant terrible of the fashion world in the 1960s. Unorthodox, provocative, and boldly unconventional. Known for his radical approach to material and construction, he challenged expectations in fashion, introducing metal, plastic, and unconventional forms into garments. That tension between structure and disruption became central to the typeface.
Early Development of the Rabanne Typeface in use for an archived project.
Learning about his work and achievements directly contributed and influenced the design of the typeface. The typeface’s unconventional serifs reject calligraphic softness in favor of something more assertive, while its proportions remain controlled and deliberate. The goal was not to replicate any aesthetic, but to translate an attitude into typographic form. Where the tension of discipline and disruption held within a single system.
Although, this self-initiated project began with a different intent. The typeface developed enough conceptual clarity to stand on its own and exist independently. Hence the release in late 2025.
Francisco Rabaneda Cuervo (1934 - 2023)
Feedback
Rabanne is open for use and experimentation. If you encounter any issues, especially across Latin languages, or have any feedback, please feel free to write to me at jarret@ohjarret.com.
Learning and Takeaways
Developing Rabanne as a self-initiated project pushed my practice in unexpected ways. It reinforced the value of questioning default systems in typography or broader creative work. It also led me to think more critically about how design intersects with culture, especially in Singapore, where multiple cultures can coexist.
Available for Download
Rabanne, the typeface is now available under the SIL Open Font License (OFL) version 1.1 for open use and experimentation.