MODULAR TYPOGRAPHY

University Project • Typography

A modular typeface is an alphabet made from a small set of shapes or modules. This means each letter is created from a few distinct parts that can be repeated, flipped, or rotated, but not resized.

A typography project to design a typeface using modular elements.

  • Create stencils with instructions

IDEATION

I aimed to test the limits of legibility by determining which parts of a letter are essential for recognition and how proper spacing could enhance readability.

I wanted to work exclusively with geometric shapes, specifically squares and circles, but combining just these two felt too monotonous.

So, I decided to create more interesting outcomes by adding and subtracting shapes, picking the results that I found intriguing.

Then I started experimenting with how to create the letters using these parameters:

Parameters: 

  • The letter should fill up ¾ of the entire grid. 

  • The modules must overlap with at least 1 to 2 units. 

  • You can rotate the modules however you’d like. 

  • Maximum of 5 modules per letter

ADDING COLOUR

The next step of this exercise was adding color to our letters. Due to the complexity of forming letters with modular elements, I created a guide for each letter to keep track of the process.

I decided to do my poster in watercolour paint, I felt that the texture from the paint would be visually interesting.

PROCESS