French Literature Reviews - 2026

Yokna, Permutation
Art and Visual Culture

Permutation is a custom typeface created by the publishing house L’œil ébloui for the display typography of their collection 53. It was conceptualized, designed, and structured by Thierry Fétiveau, Clément Le Priol, and Benjamin Reverdy of the Yokna agency. Inspired by the work of Georges Perec, its unique feature is that the main vowels (a, e, i, o, u) each have three forms that automatically alternate. It also includes a series of twenty-one ornaments. Presented here is its typographic specimen, which showcases a creative interplay between content and form.

Yokna is a design and editorial consultancy based in Nantes, driven by three creators deeply passionate about literature and reading: Clément Le Priol, Benjamin Reverdy, and typographer Thierry Fétiveau. They designed the entire visual identity for the Perec 53 collection, as well as the typeface used for the book titles. They are also publishers at Bouclard.

The development of custom typefaces for specific editorial projects reflects a long-standing tradition in book design, where the visual presentation of text is tailored to the aesthetic and thematic concerns of a publisher. The Permutation typeface, created by Thierry Fétiveau, Clément Le Priol, and Benjamin Reverdy of the Yokna agency for the 53 collection, features main vowels with three forms that automatically alternate and a series of twenty-one ornaments. This approach highlights the intersection between graphic design and literary practice, emphasizing the structural properties of the written word.

The Yokna agency, based in Nantes, designed the visual identity for the 53 collection, including the typeface used for the book titles. The specimen presents the typeface, which was inspired by the work of Georges Perec. This project underscores the role of typography as a creative element that interacts with the content of a book. Readers interested in the history of contemporary typography and the relationship between graphic design and literature may find this specimen a relevant case study.