Say what you want about the infamous jeepney—call them eyesores, outdated, a nightmare on the road, etc, etc. But this kitschy automobile will always be an icon in Philippine culture. One thing we can all agree on is that the jeepney serves as a piece of art that has, in one way or another, made you smile—whether through its cheesy calligraphy (“Basta driver, sweet lover!”) or motivational quotes.
Taking his cue from the iconic vehicle, graphic artist Aaron Amar created a font inspired by jeepney signages. The typeface, called “Quiapo Free,” features the distinct semi-flared edges we see on our daily commutes. Who knew they would work this way, immortalized into digital? Posted on Aaron’s Behance page, the font is free for download and is also a testament to his Filipino roots. The description reads, “Quiapo Free is a brush typeface dedicated to the Filipino Sign makers, Jeepney drivers, and the daily commuters in the streets of Metro Manila and anywhere in the Philippines.” He also adds that it is “Crafted by Aaron Amar, a proud Filipino.”
Images from Aaron Amar