'Expression as Type' explores how to utilise a broad range of creative skills to design authentic and functional letterforms. It bridges the gap between analogue and digital techniques by manipulating abstract ink marks within a grid to discover legible glyphs. Nine constructed glyphs were refined from the 30 initial ink marks to serve as potential starting points for a typeface. With a reflective methodological approach, the research topic was investigated through sketching, ink mark-making, and manual glyph creation techniques like cutting, rearranging, and gluing. This approach generated practical results and an adaptable method to create unique and original type in future endeavours, ultimately pushing the boundaries of the creative process.
The project focused solely on form, omitting the use of colour, with the exception of pink paper stock in the book's ink 'inputs' section. This choice emphasizes the significance of this area as the essential starting point for the glyphs, symbolizing playfulness and visibility.
The ink marks were divided into a 3x3 grid and cut into squares. These pieces were rearranged to construct the glyphs.
The perfect-bound publication is accompanied by nine large vinyl-cut glyphs at the Te Wai Ngutu Kākā Gallery, St Paul Street, Auckland.
