The studio

Karandash is a small independent type design studio, based in Varna, Bulgaria. It was established in 2010 by designer Vassil Kateliev, focused in designing high quality body and display typefaces for Eastern Europe. Our main objective is to satisfy the constantly growing demand for superior localised type sets in our home country, as well as those of neighboring countries (Greece, Turkey, Romania and etc.). We also provide custom lettering services on demand for corporate and personal use. We take orders for brand design and corporate fonts. For more information or inquiries, feel free to contact us!

The name

Karandash is a compound word with Turkish origin, originally meaning black stone (karadaš/kara dash). It is  the Russian word for pencil, wich is also  used in Bulgaria. It is the stage name of the famous Russian clown Mikhail Nikolayevich Rumyantsev; the pseudonym of  the world famous French political cartoonist Emmanuel Poiré(Caran d’Ache fr.) and also the pen-name of great Bulgarian cartoonist Tzvetan Tzekov. Thus thinking of the pencil as well as the typeface, as a platform and symbol of creativity itself, we strongly believe that this pseudonym, suits best our cause, both locally and internationally.

The projects

We are proud to initiate and to be part of, series of typographic projects, aimed at reviving classical Bulgarian type designs originating from 1930 to 1990 – Revival series; as well as participating in new ones -The Fontmaker series.

The Fontmaker series (www.thefontmaker.eu) is a collaborative project with Jordan Jelev, a well known Bulgarian calligrapher and cult wine label designer. The type designs are done on paper, using traditional calligraphic and artistic methods, then digitally recreated, thus achieving excellence in quality, visual pleasure and beauty.