Inspired by the Rococo aesthetic, Solena Pro follows a distinctive typographic path. One of refined exuberance, expressive curves, and decorative letterforms crafted for discerning visual creators. Receiving a Merit Award in this prestigious international competition highlights what this typeface stands for: a bold creative stance rooted in typographic heritage and shaped by contemporary standards.
Held in China, the Hiiibrand Awards are an international benchmark in branding, typography, and graphic design. Each year, designers from around the world submit their work, which is evaluated by a highly respected international jury. The 2024 edition featured renowned figures such as Astrid Stavro, Eric Q. Liu, Brian Collins, Harsh Kapadia, Issay Kitagawa, Laura Meseguer, Martin Woodtli, Ruedi Baur, and Simon Dixon.
For an in-depth look at the creative process behind Solena Pro, I have shared a behind-the-scenes article detailing the typeface’s evolution from initial sketches to final design. This piece explores the typographic references that guided the project, the decisions made along the way, and the challenges of shaping a serif family that balances ornamentation and usability. You can read the full design notes here.
I also had the pleasure of presenting Solena Pro in the Exhibit section of Communication Arts. In this article, I explore the inspiration behind the typeface, drawn from 18th- and 19th-century typographic specimens, with the aim of blending classical elegance and a modern sensibility. The wide serifs and voluptuous curves are directly influenced by these historical models, but reinterpreted to meet contemporary design needs. The article also addresses some of the challenges I faced in balancing visual richness with readability, ensuring that every detail serves both function and form.