Setar
Dogray · Sahar Afshar, José Solé · 2025
A Naskh Arabic in nine weights across four optical sizes, designed by Sahar Afshar and José Solé, where the largest optical size undergoes a deliberate personality shift from text companion to attention-seeking display voice.
About
Setar treats each optical size as a distinct design rather than a mechanical scaling exercise: at small sizes the letterforms recede to serve the reader, while at the large size widened skeletons, expanded counters, longer teeth and larger dots create an assertive display character. Contextual alternates prevent tooth clashes throughout, and an elongated tail feature on final forms with a bassinet aids justified text setting. The family is designed as a complement to Sets Grotesk, pairing Arabic and Latin voices developed in dialogue with each other.
Classification
A Naskh-based Arabic typeface that blends calligraphic structure with a simplified, utilitarian approach. Four optical sizes shift personality from neutral text performance at small sizes to high-contrast display character at large sizes.