By Edgar Walthert

From the diversity of sign systems that rival each other emerges noteworthy trajectories that strive universal graphic languages. These are often utopian attempts to achieve a global community and universally understood means of communication.

In this work, you will find a collection of attempts to design a visual language that can be universally read, from ideographic systems to all-connecting lingua franca, from utopian alphabets to iconic sign languages. These are graphic languages in pursuit of universal systems, and include utopian alphabets as well as iconic sign languages.

The recto of this broadside publication presents an overview map of Universal Languages following the format of the famous sheet map created by the type designer Adrian Frutiger. It contains all examples of attempts to universalize language.

This foldout publication is a production of The Palace of Typographic Masonry, a "Gesamtkunstwerk" by and about graphic design.

Designed by Edgar Walthert

Published by The Palace of Typographic Masonry, 2019
Printed in a limited edition of 100 copies

Single broadside, two-color, 23.4 × 33 inches
Ships folded, 4.73 × 8.27 inches