With the development of IBM’s open-source Plex fonts, Fontpad was commissioned to extend the script support to include Thai script. As a contemporary design spanning a number of major scripts, IBM’s Plex  family pairs machined precision with humanist warmth, performing exceptionally well at small sizes,  while also having a unique identity that shines at larger sizes.

To afford users a broad, multifunctional typographic palette, we decided to include both a looped style (more familiar to older readers) and a loopless style (simplified forms with a more approachable and relaxed voice), each in seven weights.

Instead of copy-pasting shapes from the Latin, Thai concepts were originated by sketching on paper,  ensuring the key features of the design were well integrated into the architecture and styling of the letterforms.

Special attention was paid to the texture of paragraphs, striking the right balance of smoothness versus crunchiness that would match the Latin. Elements such as the Plex corner, and round shapes with flat inner sides, were transposed into places they fit naturally in the Thai script.

Strokes are thinned into the joins to avoid dark patches and maintain an even text colour. Letterforms are clean, direct and slightly experimental in places, for a progressive, forward looking Thai design.

IBM Plex Thai Looped and Loopless can be freely downloaded from Google Fonts.