NOTO — for Kids

A font that speaks the inner language of kids. An idea answering the Google Fonts & HCMT brief in D&AD New Blood 2022.

The brief asked for a typographically-led campaign based on, or expanding, the Articles of the UDHR: typography as a universal voice of peace, dignity and equality.

In 2021, COVID-19 made life difficult for many Vietnamese families, with more than 1,500 children becoming orphans. While children received support at aid centres, their mental health needs had not been effectively addressed in the wider context, limiting their right to an adequate standard of living under Article 25 of the UDHR.

Google created Noto, a font family designed to serve all languages with a unified appearance and feel. In Latin, Noto means “I write” and acts as a universal voice.

Noto — for Kids used type to give voice to children’s hidden emotions and to bring attention to their rights.

The project became an opportunity to explore, learn from mentors and develop the idea, even though the result was not exactly what the team had expected.