Chloe Gaillard imbues typography with historical easter eggs

“I like to develop singular, coherent universes,” says Chloe Gaillard, a graphic designer whose portfolio includes Salomon, luxury travel agency FullMoon, Hermés and Kaolyn – a conceptual project that combines warm coffeehouse aesthetics with the proportions of clay and ceramics. Experimenting with raw geometric shapes reminiscent of ceramic art works and contemporary, minimal approaches, Chloe’s muscular typeface features easter eggs in the shape of vases hidden inside of the font design. Based on kaolin, a pale white natural clay, Kaolyn has the simple elegance of this timeless medium.

In other conceptual projects, Chloe explores her own personal history with Odette, la cuisine du souvenir, based on her great-great-grandmother’s handwriting. Prioritising faithfulness as well as modernity, typeface design and editorial work blend immaculately in a recipe book from several generations ago. An unique emotional experience, Chloe’s tribute to heritage spills across the graceful curves of the typeface whilst remaining dusty and vintage. “For me, every detail counts – it’s this silent graphic language that makes a brand or project stand out,” says Chloe. Inspired by teachers and agencies such as Bureau Brut, Chloe encourages exploration into mini universes created by the “silence” of typography – whether it’s a gentle curve, a tiny case or a broad serif.