From Old Verandahs to New Spaces: The Journey of the Planter’s Chair
Dates: 22-23 November 2024
Location: Rupert Pieris Auditorium at the University of Moratuwa
Facilitators: • Sarita Sundar • Rachel Lee • Paoletta Holst
TYPOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Dr. Jo De Baerdemaeker
LUCA School of Arts, Belgium
Award-Winning Typeface Designer, Font Technologist, and Scholar
TYPOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Jo De Baerdemaeker
Award-Winning Typeface Designer, Font Technologist, and Scholar
This workshop aims to explore the cultural and historical significance of the planter’s chair in Sri Lanka, examining its journey from colonial verandahs to contemporary spaces. By engaging participants in discussions and site visits, the workshop will provide a comprehensive understanding of how this piece of furniture reflects socio-cultural changes and its relevance in modern interior design. The workshop will span two days, with Day 1 featuring an informative speech followed by a panel discussion, and Day 2 dedicated to a field visit.
Join us for the Poster Design Workshop, a dynamic three-hour workshop designed for students and designers eager to explore poster design. Tailored for IDR 2025, this session offers hands-on insights into the world of typography, led by professional type designers who simplify the craft with approachable, interactive learning.
Overview:
This practical, hands-on workshop provides an engaging introduction to variable font design, guiding participants through the creative and technical aspects of designing type with dynamic properties. Over the course of three hours, attendees will explore the fundamentals of variable fonts, understand how typographic parameters can influence motion and expression, and apply these principles in a real-world design project.
Using Glyphs software, participants will design and develop an animated logo consisting of at least five characters. By the end of the session, they will have gained both conceptual insight and practical experience in creating responsive, motion-based typography a valuable skill for modern visual design and branding.
Event Details:
Product Design Studio, Integrated Design Department Building, University of Moratuwa
15 November 2025 | 1.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Register now:
LKR 3000
Materials Needed:
Laptop
Dr. Jo De Baerdemaeker
LUCA School of Arts, Belgium
Award-Winning Typeface Designer, Font Technologist, and Scholar
Dr. Jo “typojo” De Baerdemaeker is an award-winning Belgian typeface designer, font technologist, and scholar whose work spans script-based typography, multilingual type design, and design research. With an MA in Typeface Design and a PhD from the University of Reading, he specializes in designing and writing about world scripts — notably Tibetan, Lantsa (Rañjanā), Mongolian, and Javanese — and exploring how multilingual typography engages culture, technology, and visual identity.
In 2012, Jo founded Studio Type in Antwerp, collaborating with international design agencies and type foundries. He is a frequent speaker at international conferences and has curated exhibitions at the intersection of type and typography. Recognized for his contribution to design, he was awarded the first honorary title “New Flemish Master in Fine Arts” during the Henry van de Velde Awards (2017). He is the author of Tibetan Typeforms, the first in-depth book exploring Tibetan type and typography (www.studiotype.be).
Find him on Instagram @typojo
Day 01: Friday, 22 November 2024
Evening Session:
Informative presentation by Sarita Sundar and Rachel Lee followed by a two hour Panel Discussion from 6.00 p.m to 8.00 p.m
Venue:
Rupert Pieris Auditorium at University of Moratuwa
Discussion Topics:
• Historical context of the planter’s chair during the colonial period.
• Evolution of the planter’s chair and its journey into various public and private spaces.
• Current significance of the planter’s chair in contemporary interiors.
• Insights from experts on interior design and decolonisation.
Registrations will close on Wednesday, the 20th of November, 2024.
Day 02: Saturday, 23 November 2024
Field Visit: Galle Fort (All Day)
Activities:
• Overview of colonial domestic interiors and essential furniture pieces.
• Exploration of why certain colonial furniture pieces have survived over time.
• Guidelines on conducting successful oral histories, focusing on ethics and best practices.
Proposed Visits:
1. Antique Store:
• Interaction with an antique dealer.
• Oral history session to understand the provenance and significance of colonial furniture pieces.
2. Hotel:
• Meeting with a hotel manager.
• Oral history session to explore the integration of colonial furniture in contemporary hospitality settings.
3. Carpenter’s Workshop:
• Interaction with a local carpenter.
• Oral history session to learn about the craftsmanship and continued production of the planter’s chair.
4. Private Home:
• Visit to a home featuring a planter’s chair.
• Oral history session with the homeowner to understand the personal and cultural significance of the chair in a modern domestic setting. Expected Outcomes:
• Enhanced understanding of the planter’s chair’s historical and cultural significance.
• Insights into the evolution of colonial furniture in contemporary interiors.
• Practical knowledge on conducting oral histories and preserving cultural narratives.
• Networking opportunities with experts and enthusiasts in the field of interior design and colonial history.
Sarita Sundar
Rachel Lee
Paoletta Holst
Archt. Ashley de Vos
Archt. Sagara Jayasinghe
Conclusion: This workshop will offer a unique blend of academic discussion, practical learning, and field experience, making it an enriching event for all participants. Join us to delve into the fascinating journey of the planter’s chair and its enduring legacy in Sri Lankan interiors.
Registration details:
Tour Fee: 3000 LKR
Includes access to the panel discussion on Friday, 22 November, and a breakfast snack on the tour day
Limited Seats Available – Maximum of 15 Participants