Type As Shape

Press Type

In the olden days of design letters were hand set. A company called Letraset used to make rub off letters. I've been collecting them since they became obsolete. My students were amazed with the possibilities. These were done on 3 x 5 index cards. A smaller canvas is less intimidating.

Type Collage

The assignment this week was to collage the word type using National Geographic Magazines.

Helvetica Collage

Today I brought in xeroxed copies of Helvetica letters. I hung several blank 11 x 17 pieces of paper on the wall. There were no rules. Only true freedom. One of the best class sessions I've had.

Numbers Composition

This week each student was given one 4 x 6 index card. I put a pile of markers, crayons, pastels, ect. on my desk. Everyone was allowed to take one medium. I would say out loud a number, and with that medium they would have to arrange it on their index card. After 15 minutes they would switch mediums, and I would give them a new number. Sounds complicated, but the outcome was simple. Original Typography.

Exquisite Corpse

During the Dada period artists would work in groups. They would fold a piece of paper into several sections. Each would take a turn but only see and work on one section at a time. I think students took a lot form this exercise. Creativity should not be forced, but allowed to present itself. I can't stress enough the importance of exploration.

Rhythm

The assignment this week was to to come up with a typographic solution for the word rhythm. The materials given were one piece of graph paper and a pen. I played Jazz while they worked.