Fonts from the Northeast of Brazil

The fonts and dingbats crafted by Galdino Otten, deeply imbued with the vibrant folk culture of Northeastern Brazil, embody the very heartbeat of his artistic expression. Drawing inspiration from the distinct aesthetics of woodcuts and cordel literature, these fonts stand as authentic visual chronicles of a rich oral and graphic heritage. In this post, the author offers a glimpse into his artistry, showcasing how he actively contributes to preserving and propagating the characteristic visual language of the Northeast within the digital landscape.

What are Dingbats?

Dingbat Ochent Silibrina

For those unfamiliar, dingbats are specialized typographic fonts that, in lieu of conventional letters, numbers, and punctuation marks, present a captivating array of symbols, ornaments, illustrations, and other graphic elements. Within Otten’s oeuvre, we observe dingbats inspired by quintessential elements of the Northeast, such as the intense sun, the unique flora of the caatinga, musical instruments like the triangle, and iconic figures from popular culture like the cangaceiro, the bumba-meu-boi, the reizados, capoeira, and the Alaursa – a beloved carnival tradition of Northeastern Brazil – among other representative motifs. These visual characters provide a singular and expressive means to enrich design and communication, bestowing a distinctive touch of the Northeast. Here are the links to the Dingbats created with the Brazilian Northeast theme created by Galdino Otten:

Cordel Junina

Cordel de Mangai

Cordel Valentine

Xilo Cordel Literature

This was a typical scene from the times of "Cangaço" in the Brazilian Northeast.