Paramera
Description
This project addresses the lack of visual identity in the shire of Molina de Aragón, Europe's most sparsely populated region. Combining heritage, identity, and functionality, a variable typeface inspired by the Charter of Molina is designed. Paramera, "The Moorlands", seeks to preserve and pay homage to the region's cultural legacy while providing an attractive and modern graphic element that can strengthen local identity and support economic development.
The font features a VR version, in weight and height, with six masters and twelve instances, including Spanish diacritics, ligatures, and alternatives. Instead of simple digitization, Paramera offers a contemporary reinterpretation of the rotund Gothic calligraphy found in the city's Charter (1272), ensuring that the region's history remains alive and relevant today. This is crucial for a depopulated area at risk of losing its cultural identity, as no heritage—no matter how small—deserves to fade into oblivion.
The absence of a coherent visual identity in Molina de Aragón is not unique. The lack of unifying design elements is often characteristic of rural areas. To address this issue, the font aims to visually unify the region. Its adoption by local businesses, associations, and both public and private entities can build up local pride, enhance the external perception of the area, and promote it as an attractive tourist destination.
Additionally, a web for downloading the font is developed. The operational costs will be supported through the sale of merch featuring the Paramera font in the names of places and terms that are at risk of being forgotten. This project and its outreach, are also intended to raise awareness about the cultural loss associated with depopulation, generating a public debate on the future of rural areas, and encouraging reflection on revitalization strategies for these communities.
