Alku

Countries

Finland

Languages

Finnish

Model parameters

Uppercase

Simplified Print

Lowercase

Simplified Print

Connection

Unjoined

Slant

Slightly Slanted

Update

11.04.2023

Jarno Lukkarila developed the retail typeface Alku, based on the handwriting model Perusopetuksen mallikirjaimet, or Model letters for basic education, which he had created on the behest of the Opetushallitus (OPH), or Finnish National Agency for Education.

Used for teaching primary school students in Grades 1 and 2, the typeface can be seen in handwriting books like Tsemppi Käsiala A (2020) and Loikka 3 Kielitaito (2022), which are produced by one of the most important educational publishers in Finland, Otava Oppimisen.

Alku consists of only one set of unjoined simplified print letters with a slight slant. The lowercase letters have short extenders, spurs and some require pen-lifts and more than a single stroke to write. The “q”, “z“ and “7” also feature a horizontal stroke or bar.

As per the recommendations of the Opetushallitus, joining letters are not included, though the natural occurrence of connections due to fast and fluent handwriting is considered acceptable.

References

  • Heiskala, O., Konttinen, M., Maatela, M., Parviainen, K., Sipilä, R., 2022. Loikka 3 Kielitaito: Suomen kieli ja kirjallisuus, 3. Otava Oppimisen, Finland.

  • Jarno Lukkarila muotoili uudet tekstauskirjaimet | Yle Areena, 2015. Ylen aamu-tv.

  • Kirjaimet, numerot ja muut merkit | Alku Typolar [WWW Document], 2016. Opetushallitus. URL https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/kirjaimet-numerot-ja-muut-merkit (accessed 9.25.22).

  • Miettinen, P., 2020. Tsemppi Käsiala A. Otava Oppimisen, Finland.

  • Typolar Fonts [WWW Document], n.d. Typolar Font Foundry. URL https://www.typolar.com/ (accessed 10.2.22).