Nan Parati: Jazz Fest Sign Writer for 42 Years

Nan Parati, the on-site sign writer for the New Orleans Jazz Fest for 42 years, has developed a distinctive hand-lettering style that has become synonymous with music festivals nationwide. Her fonts, Fun Times Roman and Nanuscript, feature bouncy flourishes and exaggerated serifs. Parati also creates signage for the Newport Jazz and Newport Folk Festivals. She began her career after being fired from Whole Foods twice, then becoming the art director for their advertising. In 1985, Jazz Fest asked her to write signs for performers' names. Her style evolved over decades, particularly during COVID when demand for custom signs surged. She hand-writes over 3,000 signs annually for Jazz Fest alone and designs backdrops and on-site visuals. Parati cites her father, a graphic designer, as a major influence, teaching her about contrast and design. She works from a studio that is also her home, using kitchen and dining room tables, and the tailgate of her truck. Parati's signs are beloved for their history, fun energy, and handmade quality in a digital age. She has faced copying of her style but encourages others to develop their own.