Adobe Kannada features a contrast distribution somewhat lower than the norm so as to maintain strong, legible forms at small sizes. The letter construction is based on traditional Kannada text typeface designs, including the influential Basel Mission Press Kannada typeface, which set a strong precedent for weight, form, and proportions for succeeding type designs for Kannada. The primary intended usage - for printed outputs, particularly continuous text settings - guided the design direction. This type family was designed to harmonize with Adobe’s other Brahmic fonts, both in terms of apparent size and style, to ensure that this suite of typeface families can be typeset together as a system. The Adobe Kannada typeface was designed by Erin McLaughlin, with Brahmic script expert Fiona Ross consulting on the design.
