Graphic Designer
Los Angeles, US / Rio de Janeiro, BR
Los Angeles, US / Rio de Janeiro, BR
Sulamericana
Font Design, Specimen
Special thanks to Instructor Greg Lindy
Cheerful and young, Sulamericana is a sans serif grotesk extended typeface that is not only a tribute to Rio de Janeiro, but to all of South America: from the southernmost tip of Ushuaia to the northernmost end of the Rain Forest, this font represents the colors, the curves and energy of the continent.
As a Brazilian designer, born and raised, this typeface is a personal homage to my homeland and a broader celebration of Latin America’s character.
As a Brazilian designer, born and raised, this typeface is a personal homage to my homeland and a broader celebration of Latin America’s character.
Sulamericana merges regional influences with contemporary type design. Its curves are inspired by Brazil’s natural topography—particularly the flowing shapes found in the mountains of Minas Gerais and the sweeping forms in Rio’s architecture. While rooted in Brazilian aesthetics, the design is intended to speak to the broader energy and diversity of Latin American culture.
The font began as a regular weight and evolved over almost a full year, when I developed the bold weight and refined the overall structure. The result is a versatile typeface with clean, geometric letterforms that feel both modern and expressive. Sulamericana’s extended proportions and thoughtful ligatures ensure readability and functionality in a variety of applications, making it an ideal choice for both branding and editorial design.
Some spreads can be removed as posters, allowing the user to take a piece of the design home. Drawing from Brazilian culture, the specimen features lyrics from iconic songs and words in Portuguese and Spanish, showcasing the font’s versatility in Latin languages.
The Sulamericana type specimen is designed as an interactive experience, printed in a newspaper format that invites users to rearrange pages and explore the letterforms from different angles. With a striking color palette of dark green, vibrant coral, and pale yellow, the specimen reflects the energetic and polished vibe of Brazil and Latin America.
Through its letterforms, Sulamericana balances contemporary design principles with regional inspiration. The typeface avoids clichés while still capturing the essence of Latin American vibrancy and modernism. Its youthful energy and fresh approach make it adaptable for a wide range of projects, from cultural branding to contemporary visual storytelling.
Drawing from the vibrant energy of Brazil's Carnaval, the posters feature lively street vendor pricing signs like "Beats 2 por 15" and celebrate iconic elements like "The Girl from Ipanema," "Cachaça," and lyrics from"Baianidade Nagô." The playful themes capture Brazil's relaxed bar scene, blending culture and typography seamlessly.
Sulamericana is more than just a typeface—it's a celebration of my roots, a reflection of Latin America's vibrant spirit, and a testament to the power of design to communicate culture.
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