Abstract
This paper shares a case study of “Typo/Graphic Pattern,” a typography workshop I developed to help intro-level design students see type not just as linguistic content, but as formal material. In early typography education, students often struggle to recognize letterforms as shapes composed of form and counterform, rather than as familiar symbols they’ve read their entire lives. This workshop addresses that challenge by guiding students through the process of designing abstract, repeating patterns using only letterform shapes. Surface pattern design becomes a tool to cultivate visual sensitivity and typographic awareness. Students begin by examining examples of type-based pattern work from designers such as Zuzana Licko, Marian Bantjes, and Michael Bierut. Then we go hands-on: with scissors, tape, and paper, students create analog pattern blocks using typographic collage materials. This playful, tactile phase builds awareness of structure, rhythm, and composition. Students then digitize their collages in Illustrator, refining them into precise black-and-white vector patterns. In the final phase, they apply their designs to Photoshop mockups of 3D surfaces like textiles, packaging, or architecture. Throughout, students engage in critique and iteration—learning to see type not just as language, but as raw design material. They build technical skills, conceptual fluency, and confidence. This paper outlines the workshop’s pedagogical structure, shares student examples, and reflects on outcomes observed by faculty and participants. “Typo/Graphic Pattern” is an adaptable, scalable teaching model that reframes typography as both a foundational skill and an expressive design practice.
Presenters
Anna JordanAssistant Professor, College of Art and Design, Rochester Institute of Technology, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Creative and Cultural Technologies
KEYWORDS
Typography, Design Pedagogy, Graphic Design Education, Form and Counterform, Surface
