Research & References

Original Work

Vertical Typography & Punctuation Rules

Vertically Works · GitHub · 2026

The canonical rules this project sets CJK text by · per-glyph orientation, tate-chu-yoko digits, punctuation verticalization, and 금칙/kinsoku line breaking · synthesized from KLREQ, JLREQ, and UAX #50. Install into any project with `npx verticallyworks add vertical-typography`.

Vertically Works: Design Exploration on Vertical Typography

Jihoon Suh · UX Design / Medium · 2019

The original exploration that spawned this project. Covers the motivation, historical context, and early design explorations for vertical UI.

Vertically Verse · iOS

Jihoon Suh · App Store · 2025

The companion iOS scripture reader · a SwiftUI implementation of vertical-first interaction patterns.

CSS & Typography Specifications

CSS Writing Modes Level 4

W3C · W3C · 2019

The definitive specification for writing-mode, text-orientation, and direction properties. Essential for understanding how browsers implement vertical text.

CSS Text Level 4: Tate-chu-yoko

W3C · W3C · 2023

Specification for tate-chu-yoko (縦中横) · upright horizontal text within a vertical line · critical for verse numbers and date formatting.

Unicode Standard Annex #9: Bidirectional Algorithm

Unicode Consortium · Unicode · 2023

The algorithm that governs how text of mixed directionality renders. Understanding this is necessary for mixed CJK/Latin content in vertical contexts.

Unicode Standard Annex #50: Vertical Text Layout

Unicode Consortium · Unicode · 2023

Defines the orientation behavior (upright vs. rotated) for every Unicode character in a vertical layout. The canonical reference for glyph orientation decisions.

Design System References

Material Design: Bidirectionality

Google · Material Design · 2023

Google's treatment of RTL layout adaptation in Material Design. Useful as a contrast · it handles bidirectionality but not vertical writing systems.

Human Interface Guidelines: Localization

Apple · Apple HIG · 2023

Apple's guidance on adapting interfaces for international audiences. Notable for what it does not cover: vertical text as a primary reading mode.

iOS / SwiftUI Implementation

Core Text Programming Guide

Apple · Apple Developer Documentation · 2023

Apple's Core Text framework supports vertical glyph form and right-to-left frame progression · the basis for a proper vertical renderer on iOS.

Bring them into your project

Use them in your own project. Open source on GitHub, MIT-licensed.

npx verticallyworks init
View on GitHub