Bula design information

Bula was designed for Fiji Airways. It is inspired by Makereta Matemosi’s traditional Masi crafted for the airline, an ancient art form that embodies Fiji’s traditions and spirit.

167 words by Kris Sowersby

Bula is a custom typeface designed for Fiji Airways commissioned by FutureBrand in Sydney.

After visting the outer islands of Fiji the team at FutureBrand “partnered with Air Pacific and locally renowned Masi artist Makereta Matemosi to create the new identity for ‘Fiji Airways’. Makereta created a traditional Fijian Masi for the airline, which is celebrated in the airline’s new identity and translated into its new livery design.”

This is a cracker of a brand. Futurebrand have managed to make an airline’s livery culturally relevant, beautiful and interesting. My small part was to make Bula, a typeface inspired by and to compliment Makereta’s traditional Masi patterns. Each letter has four alternates, and with some OpenType magic they automatically swap about. For more information head over to FutureBrand’s article on the redesign.

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