Cartography, a course offered in Spring 2017 at Habib University, revolved around the art, science and technology of mapmaking using desktop and web-based participatory GIS platforms, focusing on understanding the critical history of maps as not just objective, scientific representations, but subjective constructions of the mapmakers, tethered to prevalent systems of knowledge, power, authority and aesthetics. The community that we mapped in studio is a neighborhood in Old Town, Karachi, known as Gari Khata.
Gari Khata type is a mini atlas of typographic signage used at the neighborhood of Gari Khata in Old Town, Karachi, that I made for the course. It spots different categories of signage that primarily indicate the businesses that operate in the neighborhood. It also aims to create an archive of the signage — if the businesses that have been operating for years and decades, in the future, improve the design of their banners and advertisements, shift to new mediums, or possibly shut down, this atlas makes it possible to go back in time and not only identify them, but also look at the appearance of signage they used, identify the typefaces, colors and techniques used and see what were the thoughts behind the design, if any.
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