TYPE SPECIMEN
Merging experimental systems
with traditional typography.
In the realm of typography, the balance between tradition and experimentation is often abstract. Type Speciman delves into how experimental systems can seamlessly complement traditional typefaces without sacrificing readability or communication.
TYPOGRAPHY
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
OVerview
Typography often lives between two worlds: timeless tradition and innovative experimentation. Type Specimen explores how to push the limits of type design while preserving legibility and communication. The goal was to create a system that harmonizes classic letterforms with experimental transformations, proving that type can evolve in unexpected ways without losing its functional core.
TEAMLINE
4 weeks (2024)
TOOLS
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Where Did the Idea Begin?
I started with three key letters: A, M, and S. These letterforms have strong, recognizable structures that could guide a full alphabet. By studying their anatomy, I created a series of prompts to push their design without losing their essence.
How Do We Push Letterforms Without Losing Clarity?
Each prompt challenged the shapes in a different way. Some asked me to thin a defining stroke by 50 percent. Others encouraged distorting or morphing serifs, building patterns from alternating diagonal lines, or repeating selected vertical and horizontal strokes. I experimented with removing key elements, swapping pieces with parts of other typefaces, and even integrating textures from blurred photography. Each step tested how far the letters could stretch before they stopped feeling legible.
What Was the Design Challenge?
The process was about balancing control and chaos. Some transformations led to abstract, unexpected shapes, while others preserved enough structure to stay readable. The key was creating a set of rules so the alphabet could expand naturally while still feeling coherent.
What Did the Project Achieve?
The result was a dynamic typographic system that respected tradition while exploring bold new forms. It proved that type can evolve in experimental ways without losing clarity or purpose.
What I Learned
This project taught me how to experiment fearlessly while still designing with intention. I learned how to create clear rules that make even unconventional ideas usable and how to balance creativity with structure. Most importantly, it showed me that thoughtful systems can turn exploration into functional, impactful design.
