kirjastiili

Kirjastiili is a Finnish term used to describe a particular style of writing or script, located at the boundary between handwriting and typography. In Finnish language and design discourse, the phrase refers to the visual characteristics of letters and the overall appearance of a written text, rather than to a fixed, universally defined script. The term combines kirja (book or writing) with stiili, a loanword from style, to denote a stylistic category for letters and document design.

Usage and scope: In paleography, typography, and graphic design, kirjastiili can denote both historical handwriting practices and contemporary type treatments that emulate or draw on traditional scripts. Because it is not standardized, different authors may apply the label to cursive, the forms of serif or sans-serif lettering that carry a formal or decorative character, or to hybrid, ornamented display styles. In practice, designers may speak of a "kirjastiili" when aiming for an aesthetic that evokes handwriting, elegance, or craft, for example in diplomas, invitations, or branding that seeks a personal touch.

Relation to other terms: The concept overlaps with calligraphy and script typography, yet it remains a broad and somewhat context-dependent label in Finnish. It is less a single observed practice and more a descriptive umbrella term used in discussion of writing styles.

See also: Calligraphy, Typography, Paleography, Handwriting, Font style.