Linking a graphical language with a discourse of popularisation of quantum physics.


Quantum mechanics is a scientific model of thought that emerged in the 20th century as a break with classical physics. It is relatively difficult to conceive because it is governed essentially by abstract mathematical . It describes phenomena that take place at the of • ⬤ · ⇝ and , that ⏿ ✋ 🕺 can't distinguish or perceive, and which have a considerable impact on the functioning of the macroscopic world.



Type designer Océane Juvin😐 and physicist Julien Bobroff joined forces to explain and tell the story of quantum physics and its issues via the creation of a visual grammar and typographic system. The pictorial sign is integrated into the popularisation discourse to facilitate the understanding of concepts that are difficult to grasp.
This project was conducted at the Atelier National de Recherche Typographique (ANRT) between October 2019 and March 2021.



The result of this collaboration is the Quantype, family, which consists of two typefaces designed to work together :
Quantype ABC provides access to the Latin alphabet with its punctuation, numerals and various other specific signs. It is a Latin typeface of the mecanic type, medium fat, low contrast and derives its forms from calligraphy, resulting in a rather humanistic design.
Quantype Symbols consists of a set of symbols of different types that allow to represent the phenomena and concepts involved in quantum physics by combining and superimposing them.


The keyboard below enables to compose with the different symbols of Quantype Symbols :



This text area enables to type the different glyphs of Quantype ABC :


Are the aleatory leaps quantum ? * 0123456789/@&∇↑∂μτπΩΨ#1234567890ABCbcdfghjkmpvwxyz



Some hints to understand this language :

The Schrödinger's n doesn't exist. A researchero in physics often speaks in a coded way § to describe and understand phenomena that the human eye O can't see. As time passing by é : è2Ç. Inside a solid Ô , a liquid Ö or a gaz ô, particles structure themselves differently.  Thus they Smove Q•q • h zand interact •k• •ú• in various ways. One particles is \more/ <or> l{e}ss [e]xcited ç*. According to its energy level Ù : Ú£$€. One particle, an à for example, is characterized by 8₁₅ , its electrical charge9 , its shape î and its spin VWXB. An electron e_ has a neg-tive charge : à_. e_ and γ are the most welknown particles. Orbitals IKiîÏÎì model electrons that orbit around a r nucleus. The latter is composed of as many neutrons T as protons t. Thus the + and - charges balance each other out. Indeed, +pP+, -pP- but +Jj-. So à_Jj à=. An atom R as drawn before the knowledge brought by quantum physics. Some common R are : 6xygen and 4ydrogen, which make up most of the atmosphere, 7arbon and 5itrogen. Different scales ánm, áA, á•, áØ, from visible O to invisible ã are impacted by quantum physics. A fermion à and a boson À have different Ψ wave functions  Ë : symmetric ê or antisymmetric ë. The temperature ó, and its impact on the state of the particles. From the very cold ò₋₂₇₃ (the absolute zero) to the very hot óÓÒ. A grain of light & is composed of photons aä^¨. Fermions à are rather solitary Û Ü û while bosons À are very sociable uUùuùU . The % are bound Ì and f . A molecule L, œ, ł , H₂O, is constructed with the help of 4Ã6Ã4 and simpleÃbonds or doubleÁbonds. The covalentNbond is the cement of many molecules, for example to hold 4 to 6 in the molecule H₂O. It is a subtle mixtureJjof electrical interactions and the principle of exclusion û | Ü. The benzene molecule  even has its own unicode. Measurement tools  ñ or simpler µ. Different waveforms e É Y that form constructive y interferences E or destructives Finterferences. To understand all this, the physicisto projects ", calculates, models §, does experiments CS•YŁy# c and measurements ?, ., ;, ,.





The physicist and populariser Julien Bobroff uses Quantype to explain quantum leaps Ú 2 £ {A} !





The Quantype fonts presented on this page are available on request. If you are interested in testing or using it, feel free to contact me with the details of your project (license will be established as appropriate).

Here is a guide Quantype_Guide-EN.pdf available for download. It introduces Quantype typeface and gives some guidelines for using it.

Working between two disciplines


Julien Bobroff présentant <a href='http://hebergement.universite-paris-saclay.fr/supraconductivite/' target='_blank'>La Physique Autrement</a>, Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne, 2019
Julien Bobroff presenting La Physique Autrement, Saint-Étienne, 2019
Système pictographique pour raconter La Physique Autrement, 2017
Pictographic system to tell the story of La Physique Autrement, 2017

The collaboration between graphic and type designer Océane Juvin, and physicist and populariser Julien Bobroff started with the creation of a pictographic system to explain the activities of the research group La Physique Autrement, which explores new ways of popularising and teaching science through collaborations between physicists and designers or artists. It initiated an easy conversation where signs are conceived as batons-tools.

From the rich discussion the suject of quantum mechanics became an opportunity to consider a freer, more exploratory and experimental format for exchange and work.



Interfering into the book


<a href='https://editions.flammarion.com/la-quantique-autrement/9782081518865' target='_blank'>La Quantique Autrement</a>, Julien Bobroff, septembre 2020
La Quantique Autrement, Julien Bobroff, september 2020
<a href='https://editions.flammarion.com/la-quantique-autrement/9782081518865' target='_blank'>La Quantique Autrement</a>, Julien Bobroff, septembre 2020
La Quantique Autrement, Julien Bobroff, september 2020
<a href='https://editions.flammarion.com/la-quantique-autrement/9782081518865' target='_blank'>La Quantique Autrement</a>, Julien Bobroff, septembre 2020
La Quantique Autrement, Julien Bobroff, september 2020

A fisrt step was to interfere the symbols in the book of Julien Bobroff : La Quantique Autrement, Julien Bobroff, Paris, Flammarion, 2020.
He must then be given tools to play with, material on which he can base his text. The discourse changes according to the graphic possibilities, and the graphic possibilities simplify the discourse. There is no longer one author and one illustrator-designer, but two co-authors. It was a fist attempt to design quantum shapes like particles and their properties, states changings, effets, transformations, interactions and collective behaviours. It was exciting to create a common language through spontaneous exchange. Creating forms, showing them, discussing them, reshaping them, looking for new ones.



Translating quantum physics in graphics



Tableau noir
Chalkboard
Hydrogen Density Plots, PoorLeno, 2008
Hydrogen Density Plots, PoorLeno, 2008
Fugue in Rot, Paul Klee, 1921
Fugue in Rot, Paul Klee, 1921
David Szakaly et « Lvovrudprom », Volodymyr Pobiedin, 1986
David Szakaly and « Lvovrudprom », Volodymyr Pobiedin, 1986

The objective was to evacuate any naturalistic and figurative desire and to conceive a hybrid system of signs between text and image, which could be manipulated to build up material for popularisation.
One of the interesting challenges of this project was to use the typographic tool to create a language that would stand alone from text to create images. But then, the signs had to work both small at the scale of a body of text, as well as larger to compose images that remain aesthetically interesting. It's about finding a balance, as is often the case in typography.
Thanks to the work of moiré, very present in the optical illusions of the Op Art movement, the images gain in elegance with effects of volume and transparency which sublimate their combinations by superposition or juxtaposition without complicating their reading.
The drawing of symbols is close to the graphic design of the 1980s and its collection of minimalist logos that play with geometry and optical illusions. It was a matter of drawing subjective forms in consciousness because the typographer's intervention in this kind of object becomes similar to that of an author, who adds her graphic interpretation to the discourse. Do not try to create transparent and "neutral" forms, be present through aesthetics. The role of the images to be produced is not only to exemplify, to explain visually, but also to animate the discourse. Hence the importance given to spontaneity and the expressiveness of certain forms. The transmission of these concepts must be made less complicated.



Developing a typoraphic tool

Using the single interface of a typeface creation software allows a simplification of the work process, but also a greater agility in the management of the alphabet and associated signs. The creation of a bespoke alphabet to accompany the symbols appeared to be the most appropriate solution. Designed on the model of 19th century mechanics, the final typeface is practical and pleasant to read on long texts, both on screen and on paper, and fits large on headlines, as well as being in perfect harmony with the symbols' design.


Caractère Quantype, mars 2021
Quantype typeface, march 2021
Essai calligraphique
Calligraphic try
Premiers dessins dans l'interface de Glyphs
First drawings in the Glyphs interface
Épreuves du caractère Quantype
Quantype proofing
Quantype ABC sur le clavier
Quantype ABC on keyboard
Quantype Symbols sur le clavier
Quantype Symbols on keyboard



Renewing popularizing formats


After different uses, two types of Quantype usage formats were distinguished :
• The first type of format has a didactic function, it is built on the discourse of the populariser and gives it a tool. For example, it is a video or an article that explains one or more principles of quantum physics.
• The second type of format has a more aesthetic and playful function. They can be visual cards accompanying didactic formats or serve as aesthetic illustrations without any vulgarising aim. Indeed, the Quantype character and its symbols invite to play rebus and to build mysterious images by combining the symbols.
A future event is being jointly developed between designer and populariser. It will feature both quantum physics and its popularisation tool, Quantype.




Video of the project presentation of 2021, March 21st ⏲ 30′




This website is a work-in-progress.
Please feel free to contact Océane Juvin😐 if you have any feedback, question!

credits : design and development by Océane Juvin - March 2021