Vanessa Zúñiga Tinizaray, known professionally as "Amuki" (meaning "inner silence"), is an Ecuadorian
designer specializing in experimental typography, pattern fonts, and kinetic typography. Her work is
deeply rooted in the semiotic research and morphological exploration of visual symbols from Latin
America's indigenous cultures. Through her design practice, she aims to disseminate ancestral knowledge,
offering visual reinterpretations that bridge the past and future, fostering a continuous evolution of
cultural expression.
Over nearly two decades, Zúñiga has developed the "Visual Chronicles of the Abya Yala," a research
project dedicated to revaluing and globally amplifying Latin American cultural heritage. Her
achievements include being a finalist and receiving awards at the Ibero-American Design Biennial, with
her experimental typefaces selected for the Bienal Tipos Latinos. Her book has earned a Certificate of
Typographic Excellence from the Type Directors Club. She has also delivered talks and workshops across
Latin America, the United States, and France, emphasizing the importance of research in the creative
process.
Zúñiga's work has been featured in institutions like the Letterform Archive and publications such as
Femme Type and Communication Arts. Notably, her kinetic typography collaboration with Argentina's
Sudtipos foundry for the "Fixture" typeface promotion received a Certificate of Typographic Excellence
from the Type Directors Club in 2019.
Through her studio, Amuki, Zúñiga continues to explore and teach the rich visual languages of Latin
America's indigenous cultures, fostering a deeper appreciation and pride in this heritage without
prejudice.
Vanessa Zúñiga Tinizaray's approach towards modularity has been an inspiration for me whenever I think of typography and systems.