Embodying the Values and Spirit of Kim Seong-gon and Kim Suk-won
Free download available on Kookmin University’s website

To mark its 80th anniversary, Kookmin University developed and released for free its proprietary typefaces, “Seonggok” and “Ha-ong,” which embody the university’s history and future vision. (Photo) The aim is to visually represent the university’s identity and develop these typefaces into cultural assets that can be utilized not only by the university community but also by the general public.
 
According to Kookmin University on the 26th, the development of these typefaces was one of the 10 major commemorative projects for the 80th anniversary and took approximately one year to complete. “Seonggok Type” embodies the spirit of Seonggok Kim Seong-gon, who led the university’s revival, expressing its roots, traditions, and the value of integrity.
 
The Haeong typeface embodies the university’s future-oriented values, drawing on the spirit of challenge and innovation exemplified by Kim Suk-won, Chairman of the SsangYong Group and the eldest son of Mr. Kim Seong-gon.
 
A key feature of both typefaces is their variable font system, which bridges the characteristics of traditional serif and modern sans-serif typefaces. Serif typefaces feature decorative elements at the ends of strokes, while sans-serif typefaces lack these elements. The fonts were designed to allow for the expression of various styles within a single file, eliminating the need to install multiple separate fonts.
 
Kookmin University plans to use the newly developed typefaces in online and offline promotional materials, including the logo commemorating the university’s 80th anniversary, as well as banners, posters, videos, and its website. Both typefaces are available for free download on the Kookmin University website. However, they are subject to a “CC BY-ND” license, which requires attribution and prohibits modifications.
 
Professor Park Yoon Jung of Kookmin University’s Graduate School of Techno-Design, who spearheaded the typeface development project, stated, “It was a process of distilling the university’s 80-year history and its future direction into a single visual language,” adding, “We will continue to develop these typefaces—which embody the university’s history and traditions—into cultural assets of public value.”