PROTOTYPETYPE

The first assignment of the semester challenged us with the creation of a modular typeface (maximum 26 glyphs) without using a computer. This pushed us into using found objects that could connect together to make the letterforms, and photograph these outcomes to serve as the typeface. In the early stages it took some time to decide on my material or objects and I trialled many different items that I had found. These items included cassette tapes, guitar picks, batteries and PlayDoh. Although I initially liked the guitar picks and cassette tapes I ultimately decided against them as I was concerned that It would lead me to make a bitmap typeface. Ultimately, I decided to use PlayDoh as I liked the diversity that it offers in both colour and materiality. The PlayDoh also gave me the freedom of form as I could mould it into anything I wanted. My initial experiments with PlayDoh consisted of moulding the letters out of the clay, but after being reminded that the project had to be modular I reconsidered my ideas and started to ponder the potential of a modular PlayDoh typeface. I began to create a plan for the typeface and designed a set of shapes that could be built into the letters. I also created a set of rules for how the shapes could be connected. These rules ensured that I could only use a maximum of 5 straight pieces and two curved pieces. The maximum height of the letters was the total distance of two vertical and two horizontal pieces, and a minimum height of two vertical pieces. The maximum length of the letters was the distance of two horizontal pieces, with no minimum. Additional rules were that the shapes could only be rotated at right angles but were free to connect at any point. I then drew the outlines of my shapes on a piece of A4 paper, and started to model the clay within the outlines to create my pieces, ensuring every shape was the same size. The final step was to photograph my assembled letters one at a time, then using Photoshop I removed the backgrounds of the shapes and arranged them onto an A3 page to display the entire alphabet. I wanted to keep the process as natural as possible and there was no digital tampering with the letters, ensuring that each letter was to scale with each other. Some letters naturally appear a bit taller than others which helps add to the playful aesthetic of the outcome. My feedback for this assignment stated that I could have been more experimental with the chosen material and was urged to go out of my comfort zone for the next assignment. It was from here that I started to conceive my ideas for the Major Project.

Top Left: Rough Sketch that shows instructions and rules for how to form and build the letters Top Right: Image of the modular pieces being molded Bottom: Final outcome