Experimental Typography
3D Typographic Cube, 3” x 3”
Student Project for Typographics I
Loud and vocal v.s. quiet and subtle
As one of my very first typographic projects, I used this as an opportunity to explore the personality of typography. Meant to be representative of the student in some way, I chose to center my project around verbal (and internal) expression–more specifically the duality I have between grand, outspoken ideas and a calm demeanor.
For this project, I researched shapes or sound waves and the decibel numerical values of what qualifies “loud” and “quiet” noise. That is where the number 120–used as a linear component in this cube–comes from. The 120db value is the qualification of extreme volume levels.
The loudness of this implied noise cannot be missed audibly, and so it is centered on this cube. It is the first thing the viewer may see. In high contrast on a white background, the loud sides of the six-face cube aggressively break visual barriers. The “soft” sides of the cube are characteristically subtle. A low-contrast value is created through smaller point sizes on the typography and hollowed-out, outlined type, and thin italics. The viewer must lean into the cube to see the type, like leaning in for a whisper.
Lyrics of songs and other onomatopoeias are shaped on the cube matching the frequency of their volume level or beat of the music they match. Musical sound waves are shown through centered type, and low-frequency waves are loosely represented by type forming elongated curves.
While both sides of the cube directly contradict one another, neither is depicted as better or worse; or, ugly or more beautiful. This cube depicts the harmony created by the balance between loud and quiet.
Typography Syntax with Quote by Paul Rand
Student Project for Typographics I. An exploration of the Univers typeface.
Using only the Univers typeface, this project experiments with creating contrast and motion using the same point size and contrasting weights, contrasting weights and point sizes, and finally uniformity.
Typographic Collage Illustrating the Word “Assemble”
Student Project for Typographics II
Word Prompted Found Type Collage (#1 Type Only): Assemble
This collage illustrates the word assemble in a mechanical context.
Materials used were cutouts of type sourced from books and magazines.
Word Prompted Found Type Collage (#2 Type and Image): Assemble
This collage illustrates the word assemble in a gathering context.
The materials used were cutouts of various types sourced from books and magazines, and one image was taken from Adobe Stock.
(MIDDLE BOARD)
Complete Project Featured in Auburn University SIGD: Graphic Design Juried Student Show, Spring 2021.
I explored the possibilities of type-centered design in two typography courses at Auburn University. I learned the essentials of type and layout using Adobe InDesign & Illustrator and multimedia collage.
My projects, most often monochromatic, explored how to convey sound and other abstract concepts by playing with line weight, density of type, employing type as an image, as well as personifying type as expressive characters.
“Birds” Expressive Type Booklet Using One Typeface
Student Project for Typographics II
Concept book sleeves created with transparent velum paper.
