Pooja Saxena
@matratype.bsky.social
Typeface design at @typetogether.bsky.social and elsewhere + writing about design, especially Indic scripts
Occasionally birding and pixel drawing
she/her/they
Occasionally birding and pixel drawing
she/her/they
There’s something magical about a type walk indiastreetlettering.com/type-walks/. I love seeing folks who were curious about typography end our stroll with an appreciation of letterforms grounded in cultural history. Pictures from my new type walk in Mandi House, Delhi that I debuted in September ⬇️
November 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
There’s something magical about a type walk indiastreetlettering.com/type-walks/. I love seeing folks who were curious about typography end our stroll with an appreciation of letterforms grounded in cultural history. Pictures from my new type walk in Mandi House, Delhi that I debuted in September ⬇️
Tonight I’ll be at @letterformarchive.org’s online salon letterformarchive.org/shop/the-pas... to talk about my contribution to their 10th anniversary celebration, which pairs 50 “1”s from the Archive’s collection with 50 new designs. No surprises that my “1” is a “१”, but more at the event 😊
October 16, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Tonight I’ll be at @letterformarchive.org’s online salon letterformarchive.org/shop/the-pas... to talk about my contribution to their 10th anniversary celebration, which pairs 50 “1”s from the Archive’s collection with 50 new designs. No surprises that my “1” is a “१”, but more at the event 😊
Today is Madras Day en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_..., and I am marking it by ogling at one of my favourite signs from the city indiastreetlettering.com/sighting/adv... 🤩
August 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Today is Madras Day en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_..., and I am marking it by ogling at one of my favourite signs from the city indiastreetlettering.com/sighting/adv... 🤩
Working on the India Street Lettering book, and InDesign is being InDesign 🫠
I promise the final printed copies won’t have spreads that look like this 🙈 so it should be safe to pre-order a copy from @blaft.bsky.social www.blaft.com/products/ind...
I promise the final printed copies won’t have spreads that look like this 🙈 so it should be safe to pre-order a copy from @blaft.bsky.social www.blaft.com/products/ind...
August 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Working on the India Street Lettering book, and InDesign is being InDesign 🫠
I promise the final printed copies won’t have spreads that look like this 🙈 so it should be safe to pre-order a copy from @blaft.bsky.social www.blaft.com/products/ind...
I promise the final printed copies won’t have spreads that look like this 🙈 so it should be safe to pre-order a copy from @blaft.bsky.social www.blaft.com/products/ind...
I’ve got some fun photographs lined up for the cemetery zine, so I really hope that the campaign for INDIA STREET LETTERING reaches the $20,000 mark.
@blaft.bsky.social will send a copy of the zine to everyone who has ordered the book!
Let’s go 👻 www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
@blaft.bsky.social will send a copy of the zine to everyone who has ordered the book!
Let’s go 👻 www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
July 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I’ve got some fun photographs lined up for the cemetery zine, so I really hope that the campaign for INDIA STREET LETTERING reaches the $20,000 mark.
@blaft.bsky.social will send a copy of the zine to everyone who has ordered the book!
Let’s go 👻 www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
@blaft.bsky.social will send a copy of the zine to everyone who has ordered the book!
Let’s go 👻 www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
Yes, you do! 😉 I loved the sign that Mohanlal ji made for me.
July 17, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Yes, you do! 😉 I loved the sign that Mohanlal ji made for me.
When @blaft.bsky.social launched the INDIA STREET LETTERING campaign, I wouldn’t have dreamed that it would be 300% funded with nearly a fortnight to go!
You can still help us reach Stretch Goal #4 — a new zine featuring lettering from cemeteries in India 🪦👻
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
You can still help us reach Stretch Goal #4 — a new zine featuring lettering from cemeteries in India 🪦👻
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
July 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
When @blaft.bsky.social launched the INDIA STREET LETTERING campaign, I wouldn’t have dreamed that it would be 300% funded with nearly a fortnight to go!
You can still help us reach Stretch Goal #4 — a new zine featuring lettering from cemeteries in India 🪦👻
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
You can still help us reach Stretch Goal #4 — a new zine featuring lettering from cemeteries in India 🪦👻
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
The INDIA STREET LETTERING campaign is so close to Stretch Goal #3 — only $60 away from @blaft.bsky.social matching all book donations pledged to @freelibsnet.bsky.social 📚 That means double the copies will go to free libraries around India.
Help us get there ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
Help us get there ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
July 11, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The INDIA STREET LETTERING campaign is so close to Stretch Goal #3 — only $60 away from @blaft.bsky.social matching all book donations pledged to @freelibsnet.bsky.social 📚 That means double the copies will go to free libraries around India.
Help us get there ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
Help us get there ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
I designed one of the earliest Unicode typefaces for Ol Chiki! eyeondesign.aiga.org/guru-gomke-i... The project was
@subhapa.bsky.social’s brainchild.
@subhapa.bsky.social’s brainchild.
July 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I designed one of the earliest Unicode typefaces for Ol Chiki! eyeondesign.aiga.org/guru-gomke-i... The project was
@subhapa.bsky.social’s brainchild.
@subhapa.bsky.social’s brainchild.
And how can I forget Cafe Aurora in Mapusa. Beautiful sign and equally delicious snacks 😋
July 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
And how can I forget Cafe Aurora in Mapusa. Beautiful sign and equally delicious snacks 😋
💯 about Gujarati! I learned Punjabi/Gurmukhi formally during the pandemic and that’s been a huge help. And I got to work on a couple of projects in the script, which always make things stick in my head www.matratype.com/lettering/za... + www.matratype.com/lettering/gu...
July 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
💯 about Gujarati! I learned Punjabi/Gurmukhi formally during the pandemic and that’s been a huge help. And I got to work on a couple of projects in the script, which always make things stick in my head www.matratype.com/lettering/za... + www.matratype.com/lettering/gu...
We’ve got STRETCH GOALS —
$16,000 ➡️ Dust jackets
$17,000 ➡️ Fancier jacket w/ embossed title
$17,500 ➡️ @blaft.bsky.social will match book donations to @freelibsnet.bsky.social
$20,000 ➡️ 24-page zine of lettering from Indian cemeteries with every physical book
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
$16,000 ➡️ Dust jackets
$17,000 ➡️ Fancier jacket w/ embossed title
$17,500 ➡️ @blaft.bsky.social will match book donations to @freelibsnet.bsky.social
$20,000 ➡️ 24-page zine of lettering from Indian cemeteries with every physical book
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
July 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM
We’ve got STRETCH GOALS —
$16,000 ➡️ Dust jackets
$17,000 ➡️ Fancier jacket w/ embossed title
$17,500 ➡️ @blaft.bsky.social will match book donations to @freelibsnet.bsky.social
$20,000 ➡️ 24-page zine of lettering from Indian cemeteries with every physical book
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
$16,000 ➡️ Dust jackets
$17,000 ➡️ Fancier jacket w/ embossed title
$17,500 ➡️ @blaft.bsky.social will match book donations to @freelibsnet.bsky.social
$20,000 ➡️ 24-page zine of lettering from Indian cemeteries with every physical book
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
One of the rewards for backing INDIA STREET LETTERING is an online type tour indiastreetlettering.com/type-walks/ with me: a fun way to see signs + hear their stories, no matter where you live. And you can invite upto 8 pals to join us!
Be a virtual type walker ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
Be a virtual type walker ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
July 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
One of the rewards for backing INDIA STREET LETTERING is an online type tour indiastreetlettering.com/type-walks/ with me: a fun way to see signs + hear their stories, no matter where you live. And you can invite upto 8 pals to join us!
Be a virtual type walker ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
Be a virtual type walker ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla...
I’m back at @typographicsnyc.bsky.social’s TypeLab Asia tomorrow to talk about INDIA STREET LETTERING — the archive and book!
Behind the scenes of the archive + a tour of the new website + all about the upcoming book with @blaft.bsky.social.
See you there? 2025.typographics.com/typelab/
Behind the scenes of the archive + a tour of the new website + all about the upcoming book with @blaft.bsky.social.
See you there? 2025.typographics.com/typelab/
June 27, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I’m back at @typographicsnyc.bsky.social’s TypeLab Asia tomorrow to talk about INDIA STREET LETTERING — the archive and book!
Behind the scenes of the archive + a tour of the new website + all about the upcoming book with @blaft.bsky.social.
See you there? 2025.typographics.com/typelab/
Behind the scenes of the archive + a tour of the new website + all about the upcoming book with @blaft.bsky.social.
See you there? 2025.typographics.com/typelab/
🥁 Welcome INDIA STREET LETTERING, the book! 🥁
I’m working with @blaft.bsky.social to bring together my documentation of letterforms from India’s cities into a 200-page hardcover full-colour book.
Support the project on Kickstarter ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla... I promise it’ll be amazing!
I’m working with @blaft.bsky.social to bring together my documentation of letterforms from India’s cities into a 200-page hardcover full-colour book.
Support the project on Kickstarter ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla... I promise it’ll be amazing!
June 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
🥁 Welcome INDIA STREET LETTERING, the book! 🥁
I’m working with @blaft.bsky.social to bring together my documentation of letterforms from India’s cities into a 200-page hardcover full-colour book.
Support the project on Kickstarter ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla... I promise it’ll be amazing!
I’m working with @blaft.bsky.social to bring together my documentation of letterforms from India’s cities into a 200-page hardcover full-colour book.
Support the project on Kickstarter ➡️ www.kickstarter.com/projects/bla... I promise it’ll be amazing!
The week before last I was in Pune to document some of the city’s public lettering. There is a city archive for Pune on India Street Lettering now indiastreetlettering.com/city/pune/ that will get populated in the coming months, but I’ve already posted a taste — beauties like these hotel signs 👌🏽
May 13, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The week before last I was in Pune to document some of the city’s public lettering. There is a city archive for Pune on India Street Lettering now indiastreetlettering.com/city/pune/ that will get populated in the coming months, but I’ve already posted a taste — beauties like these hotel signs 👌🏽
This evening I’ll be at BLAG Meet: Inside Issue 06 bl.ag/meet to talk about my efforts to learn, devise and systematise the language to describe letterforms on India’s vibrant signage on indiastreetlettering.com.
The event is free + online, and there’s a stellar lineup you don’t want to miss!
The event is free + online, and there’s a stellar lineup you don’t want to miss!
April 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
This evening I’ll be at BLAG Meet: Inside Issue 06 bl.ag/meet to talk about my efforts to learn, devise and systematise the language to describe letterforms on India’s vibrant signage on indiastreetlettering.com.
The event is free + online, and there’s a stellar lineup you don’t want to miss!
The event is free + online, and there’s a stellar lineup you don’t want to miss!
Last Sunday, I spoke at the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival mslf.in about India Street Lettering indiastreetlettering.com.
I shared the stage with Mohd. Rafi Sahab, a sign painter from Lucknow’s Machhli Mohal, who spoke to us about his craft and gave us a live demonstration 🤩
I shared the stage with Mohd. Rafi Sahab, a sign painter from Lucknow’s Machhli Mohal, who spoke to us about his craft and gave us a live demonstration 🤩
February 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Last Sunday, I spoke at the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival mslf.in about India Street Lettering indiastreetlettering.com.
I shared the stage with Mohd. Rafi Sahab, a sign painter from Lucknow’s Machhli Mohal, who spoke to us about his craft and gave us a live demonstration 🤩
I shared the stage with Mohd. Rafi Sahab, a sign painter from Lucknow’s Machhli Mohal, who spoke to us about his craft and gave us a live demonstration 🤩
Bangalore pals, my short film about the wonderful street lettering on MG Road is part of the line-up at the Sci560 Film Festival. I would love for you to watch it 🥹
More details and schedule 👉🏽 bangaloreinternationalcentre.org/event/sci560...
More details and schedule 👉🏽 bangaloreinternationalcentre.org/event/sci560...
January 31, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Bangalore pals, my short film about the wonderful street lettering on MG Road is part of the line-up at the Sci560 Film Festival. I would love for you to watch it 🥹
More details and schedule 👉🏽 bangaloreinternationalcentre.org/event/sci560...
More details and schedule 👉🏽 bangaloreinternationalcentre.org/event/sci560...
Let’s go Lucknow!
If you’re in the city, please come by for this exhibition of my street lettering photographs happening tomorrow onwards as part of the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival mslf.in. I’m excited to share some of the stories and connections I have found in the type across the city.
If you’re in the city, please come by for this exhibition of my street lettering photographs happening tomorrow onwards as part of the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival mslf.in. I’m excited to share some of the stories and connections I have found in the type across the city.
January 30, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Let’s go Lucknow!
If you’re in the city, please come by for this exhibition of my street lettering photographs happening tomorrow onwards as part of the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival mslf.in. I’m excited to share some of the stories and connections I have found in the type across the city.
If you’re in the city, please come by for this exhibition of my street lettering photographs happening tomorrow onwards as part of the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival mslf.in. I’m excited to share some of the stories and connections I have found in the type across the city.
A friend sent me some 1980s catalogues from a Biswanath Studio in Calcutta that collect the shop’s readymade wood blocks. They feature delightful lettered units in Bangla and Latin mostly. I find it particularly educational to see the same phrases lettered in dozens of different styles.
January 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
A friend sent me some 1980s catalogues from a Biswanath Studio in Calcutta that collect the shop’s readymade wood blocks. They feature delightful lettered units in Bangla and Latin mostly. I find it particularly educational to see the same phrases lettered in dozens of different styles.
I’m a sucker for lettering on homes, and Ahmedabad didn’t disappoint one bit.
January 21, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I’m a sucker for lettering on homes, and Ahmedabad didn’t disappoint one bit.
While in the city, I also documented signs that were crafted in other materials — wood, metal and mosaic tiles, for instance.
January 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM
While in the city, I also documented signs that were crafted in other materials — wood, metal and mosaic tiles, for instance.
Ahmedabad is not all sign painting either. Look at these giant Gujarati letters cut right out of the building’s façade 👀 They are definitely some of the bigger stencil signs I have seen.
I would love to see similarly large stencil signs that any of you might have encountered!
I would love to see similarly large stencil signs that any of you might have encountered!
January 20, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Ahmedabad is not all sign painting either. Look at these giant Gujarati letters cut right out of the building’s façade 👀 They are definitely some of the bigger stencil signs I have seen.
I would love to see similarly large stencil signs that any of you might have encountered!
I would love to see similarly large stencil signs that any of you might have encountered!
I had asked for recommendations for Ahmedabad neighbourhoods with interesting lettering on Instagram, and photographer Ritesh Uttamchandani www.guerrillaarchivist.com/about led me to Astodia, where this morning I found some gorgeous, flamboyant signs for dyers.
January 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I had asked for recommendations for Ahmedabad neighbourhoods with interesting lettering on Instagram, and photographer Ritesh Uttamchandani www.guerrillaarchivist.com/about led me to Astodia, where this morning I found some gorgeous, flamboyant signs for dyers.