Typographic Design Lab I
Typographic Design Lab I (GRA2208C 002 11910)
An exploration of typographic fundamentals, focusing on the mastery of letterform anatomy and the application of Gestalt principles. Students develop visual organization skills through the study of proximity, figure/ground perception, and structural grid systems to create balanced, expressive design solutions.
Letterform Combination
In this project, students explored the structure of typography by combining two or more letterforms or punctuation marks to create a new, unified character. The focus shifted from figure/ground relationships to the figure itself, requiring students to identify natural points of connection and share geometries and find formal harmony between characters. While traces of the original letterforms remain, the goal was to design a compact, cohesive form that functions almost as a “27th letter” of the alphabet.
Figure/Ground Harmony
This exercise explores the relationship between form and space by combining a white letter “reversed-out” of a black one, effectively turning the black letter into the ground for the white figure. By focusing on the Gestalt principle of figure-ground, these studies investigate how the brain separates a focal point from its background to create dynamic visual tension and intrigue.
Visual Definition Book
*Anatomy of Letterform
In this project, students created a visual definition book that explains key typographic anatomy terms using imagery rather than text. Each definition relies on visual cues, symbols, and design systems to communicate meaning clearly and intuitively. By translating abstract typographic concepts into visual language, students developed a deeper understanding of letterform structure while strengthening skills in visual communication, hierarchy, and consistency across a series. The project emphasizes learning through seeing, encouraging students to understand how the individual parts of letterforms contribute to typographic character and design.
Typographic Conference Poster
This project challenges students to communicate the spirit of “Graphic Design Day” using typography as the primary visual element. The exercise focuses on developing sensitivity to typographic hierarchy, layout, and visual rhythm within a large-format space. By leveraging Gestalt principles, specifically figure/ground perception and proximity, students explore how type alone carries conceptual and aesthetic weight.