TYPOGRAPHY STUDIES IN JAVANESE SCRIPT FONT AND ITS RELATION WITH THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS,

• Main Author: Kartikasari, Hanifiana
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/71934
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The Javanese script is a cultural heritage containing the identity and uniqueness of the Javanese ethnic group, therefore it should be preserved. However, the use of the Javanese script is decreasing due to various factors, such as being considered less relevant to the times and the lack of practice of reading as well as writing the Javanese script on a daily basis. Various efforts have been made so that the Javanese script remains and can keep up with the times, one of which is by digitizing. Since 2009, the Javanese script has been registered in the Unicode Standard in order to enable its digital use. There are several types of Javanese script fonts created by typographers and cultural activists. This development may encourage the use of the Javanese script reading and writing culture in various media and for more diverse purposes, with one being for teaching and learning activities in high school. As one of the main elements in digital media, fonts have an important role for high school students who are digital natives utilizing technology in all aspects of their lives (generation Z). Fonts with good legibility, readability, and an attractive appearance can help students learn Javanese script. Thus, this study examines the current phenomenon of the use of Javanese script and also evaluates the existing Javanese script fonts based on typographic aspects (legibility and readability) as well as examines high school students' perceptions (impression, understanding, and assessment) of the fonts to look into the idea of which fonts are easy to read and attractive for the people. This study uses the descriptive qualitative approach with the grounded theory method. The theory formulation in this study is carried out by triangulating data obtained through literature reviews, interviews, and observations. The results are a description of the current condition of the use of Javanese script, assessments of the legibility, readability, as well as the attractiveness of Javanese script fonts according to the high school student’s perceptions, a description of the perceptions process, and factors influencing the process. In addition, the characteristics of the basic Javanese script (nglegena) anatomy is also formulated from the results of this research. The results of this study are expected to be the references for designers in designing and applying Javanese script fonts in the future, hence more Javanese script fonts are created, can be used easily, and are in accordance with the people’s needs which will result in the Javanese script is more actively used in daily life.