A Hand Painted Lao Signage Font
Kouang Si Waterfall - an Open Source and Open Licensed Display Font - SIL OFL v1.1 License
You can view an example of this font with your web browser (works best on Chrome/Safari). HTML Preview Service
This font only currently includes Lao. It doesn't have Latin numbers, symbols, and various other useful things. I plan to get around to them. Hey, why not beat me to it, make your own, and send a pull request?
You can download and install the TTF on your computer, and use it freely: Latest Kouang Si Waterfall TTF Font
Lao doesn't have a lot of display font options. There are a few decent fonts for general text that are open source/open licesned (SIL OFL). There are some old fonts that aren't very modern, but do the job (some are better than others). But, there aren't many Lao display fonts, especially those designed to make headers and larger text more appealing for young people, which are open. This font is a meager attempt to change that.
There's a sign for a waterfall in Luang Prabang, called Kouang Si Waterfall. Here is an example of the sign: The Sign that Started It All
It forms the basis for my first basic Lao font. It adds just a little bit of extra character (pun intended) to headings and larger text, moving away from that classical doctoral thesis feel into something more fun. 😄
This is my first attempt to create a font. I love open source, and I thought this might be a good way to contribute and help the Lao people. It started as a need for a better font for headers in kid-friendly materials. But why make something for myself and not share it with others?
It's certainly not the prettiest. Certainly not the most demanding. It won't fold your laundry, or cook your food. If it makes a kid enjoy reading a little more, then it has served its purpose! But that doesn't mean it needs to stay stagnant. If you want to improve upon it, feel free to contribute, modify it, or use it as a template to create something great! I'm using FontLab 7, but I've included some other formats if you want to tinker in something else. If you have another preffered format, put a request up in the issues.
Your name could be here!
A big shout out to those who helped provide me with some guidance, get me started, and put up with my newbieness:
Dave Crossland (Google), Ben Mitchell (Fontpad), Dr John Durdin (LaoScript), Marc Durdin (Keyman),Sovichet Tep (Romnea Type), Fadhl Haqq (Alterna Type), Aditya Bayu Perdana, everyone else at the SEA Font Workshop 2019, Sengkeo Vangxiengvue (Saonatype), Andy McConnell, Victor Gaultney (SIL), and more...
To each of you, thank you!
Journeys are always better together! 😄