About Us
We are a small passionate team.
Our Story
The seed for Terma Type Foundry was planted 6 years ago in 2018 when my kids were much younger, and I was looking for creative ways to introduce them to the Tibetan language. I wanted their first steps into Tibetan to be exciting, engaging, and filled with joy—something that felt modern yet connected to our heritage.
We started small:
- Creating animated videos for kids.
- Commissioning cheerful Tibetan children’s songs.
- Publishing two Tibetan kids’ books that taught shapes and numbers.
But we hit a wall. The biggest hurdle was the limitation of Tibetan font designs. Misalignment issues, technical glitches, and a lack of child-friendly fonts made every project feel like pushing a boulder uphill.
In researching kids' educational materials from other languages like English, Japanese, and Korean, we saw fonts that were colorful, rounded, playful, and "cool"—exactly the qualities we wanted for Tibetan. That realization sparked a dream:
What if Tibetan could have its own array of modern, accessible, and joyful fonts?
From Idea to Reality
or years, I worked closely with my father, Jamyang Dorjee, a master Tibetan calligrapher, alongside a dedicated team of scholars, linguists, and designers. Together, we explored ways to reimagine Tibetan script without losing its spiritual and cultural essence. We asked:
- How can we preserve the soul of Tibetan calligraphy while making it adaptable for the 21st century?
- How can fonts be made easier for children and beginners?
- How can they look beautiful across screens, apps, and print?
The answer is Terma Type Foundry—a home for creating fonts that are not replacements but companions to traditional Tibetan script. Fonts that are approachable, modern, and ready to appear everywhere: comic books, apps, T-shirts, video games, and beyond.
Our Mission
At Terma Type Foundry, our mission is clear:
"To ensure the Tibetan script thrives in the modern world while honoring its timeless heritage."
We design fonts that:
- Make Learning Fun: Child-friendly fonts that inspire the next generation.
- Bridge Tradition and Innovation: Respecting calligraphic roots while embracing digital design.
- Empower Creators: Tools for educators, designers, and storytellers to bring Tibetan to life across platforms.
Our dream is simple yet powerful: to see Tibetan fonts everywhere—a living, evolving script that future generations are proud of.
Meet Our Team
Thupten Chakrishar
Founder & Lead Technologist
A seasoned social entrepreneur and technologist, has spent over two decades blending technology, design, and community service. With a background in software development, media production, and 3D animation, his work reflects a rare mix of technical precision and creative vision.
As co-founder of the Himalayan Elders Project, Thupten has shown a deep commitment to cultural preservation. With Terma Type Foundry, he brings the expertise and dedication needed to ensure the Tibetan script thrives in the modern world.
Jamyang Dorjee
Master Calligrapher & Cultural Advisor
A renowned master of Tibetan calligraphy, brings decades of experience and deep cultural wisdom to Terma Type Foundry. His expertise lies in preserving the spiritual and artistic essence of traditional Tibetan script while guiding its evolution for modern use.
Known for his meticulous craftsmanship and profound understanding of Tibetan heritage, Jamyang Dorjee ensures that each font retains the elegance, authenticity, and cultural depth that the script embodies. As a leading cultural advisor, his contributions help bridge the past and future, honoring tradition while enabling accessibility for new generations.
Collaborators
Names and Images to be released soon
We are supported by a diverse team of Tibetan and non-Tibetan collaborators who share a deep commitment to revitalizing the Tibetan script. Tibetan scholars, educators, and cultural experts ensure each design remains faithful to its heritage, making the fonts practical for classrooms, beginners, and community use.
Complementing this expertise are non-Tibetan graphic designers, typographers, and technical specialists who bring a wealth of global design experience. This unique collaboration blends cultural depth with design innovation, creating fonts that resonate with Tibetan communities while being adaptable for global audiences.