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Bollywood Through Typography is a zine that delves into the vibrant yet often under recognized world of typography in Bollywood poster art. This project explores how type has evolved over the decades as a visual and cultural medium, uncovering the narratives, design aesthetics, and shifting identities embedded in these iconic works. By shining a light on this overlooked aspect of graphic design, the zine highlights the iconic typography, storytelling, and cultural expression in Indian cinema.
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It was the first week of class and there it was. An empty text box field waiting to be filled. The one assignment that would define what I would be doing the entire semester. My Type Study Form.
To begin Type 1 we were told to pic a topic of interest in typography phrased in the format: “My study focuses on the intersection between typography and ______.” Which would be the topic of a zine we would create at the end of the semester.
It felt like a daunting challenge to decide what my focus was for the entire semester, but I knew I wanted to explore something deeply meaningful to me. After some thought, I chose a broad yet personally significant theme that has always influenced my design perspective: South Asian Culture.
Choosing this broad scope as my initial type study allowed me lots of room to grow and explore. When analyzing what I would create my book about I went down many paths. Exploring mainly the parts of South Asian culture that were most familiar to me.
Eventually, my thoughts kept circling back to something I’ve always been drawn to: Bollywood. Growing up watching its vibrant energy, its larger-than-life storytelling, and, most importantly, its distinctive visual language—particularly the typography on its iconic posters— made it feel like the perfect avenue to explore.
Bollywood represents not just a cinematic phenomenon but a cultural heartbeat that spans decades and borders and this realization became the foundation for my type study. I decided to focus on:
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How Bollywood typography in posters has evolved over the years, reflecting changes in design trends, cultural narratives, and technological advancements.
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It felt like the perfect way to merge my love for design with my connection to South Asian culture.
The first step in my research was immersing myself in the vibrant visual world of Bollywood. I combed through over 100 iconic Bollywood posters, each one offering a glimpse into the evolution of typography over the decades. From bold, hand-painted titles of the 1950s to sleek, digital designs of modern blockbusters, every poster seemed to tell its own story.
