polis: a collective blog about cities worldwide

Typography in the City: Phnom Penh

by Min Li Chan

Just as a stroll along a few New York blocks inspired an analysis of signage, typography, and communication, a recent visit to Phnom Penh provided a visual feast of typefaces and character sets, reflecting the city's history and contemporary reality.

From the realm of the official, with its necessity for utility and clarity



to a handwritten ad for a piece of property, slapped on a passing wall


to a tri-lingual hand-painted sign in Khmer, French, and English.



Credits: Photos by Min Li Chan.