TYPEFACES OF LONDON LANDMARKS
2016, London
Typefaces of London Landmarks is about the innovative creation of typefaces based on London’s architecture. It consists of three projects: Cubistrata, Orbit and Shard which are based on the architecture of the National Theatre, ArcelorMittal Orbit and The Shard, respectively. Three pieces of architecture built with different materials were chosen in order to find different ways of constructing a typeface using a variety of materials.
POSTERS
The aim of the projects was to design a set of conceptual typefaces which reflect the identity of the architecture, through ‘3D–2D–3D–2D’ design methodologies:
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3D: Observation of the buildings. Further study and analysis into the background of the architectural design, in order to ascertain the concept and ideas which could be applied in the design approach.
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2D: Drawings and sketches of typeface that develop from the previous “3D” approach – observation and analysis of the architecture. Some projects require the simplification and digitization of the drawing or sketches.
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3D: Explore, construct and develop 3D letter in a variety of forms and materials based on the design drawn in the earlier stages. Different techniques are used in different projects based on the concept of the design and the material used such as layering, bending, and wrapping.
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2D: Transform the 3D letters into several sets of 2D forms based on different perspectives of the 3D letters. Making a series of specimen publications to celebrate the typeface.
The posters were designed in double sided A1 size with five folds. The front side of the poster showed the 2D types that were transformed from the 3D types.
The posters were designed in double sided A1 size with five folds. The front side of the poster showed the 2D types that were transformed from the 3D types.
The posters were designed in double sided A1 size with five folds. The front side of the poster showed the 2D types that were transformed from the 3D types.
The back side of the poster showed photography of the 3D types.
The back side of the poster showed photography of the 3D types.
The back side of the poster showed photography of the 3D types.
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SPECIMEN
Specimens: Typefaces of London Landmarks consists three type families: Cubistrata, Orbit,and Shard. Each type family consists a set of typefaces that were transformed from 3D letters in different perspectives.
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POSTCARDS
Four boxes of postcards were designed. Three boxes are the 3D types of Cubistrata, Orbit,and Shard. One is the cubist drawing of the pre-development of the Cubistrata. The photos of the 26 3D letters in different perspectives were chosen to print
on the postcards. Four additional postcards with the visuals of the patterns (compositions of the 3D letters) are added to each box.
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OBSERVE AND PLAY
As a starting point, a series of photos detailing the construction of National Theatre were taken. The spirit and concepts of the building’s construction were explored. This photograph documentary allowed the playing: overlapping, mix and match of the photos to determine the possible forms of letters with the structures of building.
FROM 3D TO 2D: IDEA DEVELOPMENT OF CUBISTRATA
A documentation of the original sketches about the idea development of 3D to 2D. The sketches were based on the observation on the architecture structure of National Theatre. One of the concepts thatwas used in the design is “cubist”. The architectural forms has transformed into letters using cubist drawing method; and then simplified and digitized.
3D LETTERS
The animations of the 3D letters can be view in the links below.
Cubistrata: https://youtu.be/QaT0kFF8_UE
Orbit: https://youtu.be/63z2xUXaaxk
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