Project. Typefaces from Found Objects
Purpose. To encourage students to apply what they have learned over their first semester of typography.
Assignment. In the Ohio University graphic design program, sophomore students enroll in a typography course that covers the very basic aspects: type classification, anatomy of letterforms, typeface selection, simple grid layouts of one and then two columns with required text and images. The students also have opportunities to work with type in expressive ways through letter compositions, visual semantics etc. The course offers a solid foundation in the principles of type with (hopefully) a respect and affection for the letterforms. This final project required that they had a knowledge of the consistency and variation of forms and proportions of letters.
At the end of the semester, the students had one week in class and then one on their own before submitting this assignment in lieu of a final exam. They were asked to develop a typeface (26 letters) using found objects. These could be made from man-made objects i.e. paper clips (all the same kind of paper clips) or from natural objects i.e. sea shells (keeping the sizes similar). The alphabet should contain only one kind of item.
Format. The 26 letters are photographed and placed in a formatted poster 11 x 17 inches in black and white, or color.
Time. Two 3-hour classes plus exam week (without classes)
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