Ukrainian graphic designer Anna Maslyk has unveiled a new font, «Tsibulka» (Onion), inspired by traditional Petrykivka painting. She shared the news on her Instagram page, and the work was also covered by the publications Wave RBC.UA and «Obshchestvenne Kultura» (Public Culture). The project combines modern typography with characteristic Ukrainian ornamentation and simultaneously serves a charitable purpose: the font set can be obtained for a voluntary donation of 500 hryvnia, and the funds raised are directed to the needs of Ukrainian military personnel.
From Petrykivka painting to ligatures
While creating «Tsibulka», Maslyk experimented with ligatures and added decorative plant glyphs to the set. She based it on recognizable elements of Petrykivka painting: leaflets, viburnum, the kudryavka flower, and so-called «tsibulka» (onion). It was precisely this last decorative element that gave the font its name. According to the designer herself, in this work she «finally got to» ligatures and decided to design several plant glyphs, drawing on traditional ornament.
How the name came about
The project's name changed as the work progressed. Initially, the font was called «Vusatyi» (Whiskered) because of the characteristic «tails» that appeared in the letters E, S, and a number of other symbols. Then it was given the working title «Horoshok» (Pea), but in the end Maslyk settled on the name «Tsibulka». According to her, she worked on the font for about a month, with the most time-consuming part being the combination of all elements into a coherent system: to achieve a harmonious result, the designer had to discard several versions of letters.
Charitable format and open license
«Tsibulka» can be obtained for a charitable donation of 500 hryvnia; all funds raised are directed to the needs of Ukrainian military personnel. After payment, a download link for the font appears automatically, according to Maslyk. The license deserves special attention: the font has an open license, which allows it to be used not only in personal but also in commercial projects. Thus, purchasing the set simultaneously supports both the military and the further development of the designer's typography.
The fourth font in support of the military
«Tsibulka» is already the fourth font that Anna Maslyk offers for a charitable donation. According to her, she originally created fonts primarily to better understand the principles and specifics of font production. The new set continues this line, combining educational and socially significant aspects: the author's work in the traditional Ukrainian style becomes a tool for fundraising in support of the country's defenders.
