Materiality and Meaning in Type Design

Interpreting Identity Through Experimental Typography

Venue: University of West Georgia, Carlloton, GA 
Date: January 2022

In this hands-on workshop, students designed custom stencils of their first names and explored how to visually express identity through typography. Using found objects and materials that reflect their personalities and lived experiences—ranging from natural textures and playful forms to structured, bold elements—students learned how to art direct a composition with intention. The activity introduced concepts of materials exploration, visual storytelling, and typographic voice, encouraging students to move beyond traditional letterforms and consider how type can communicate mood, persona, and character. The resulting works showcase unique combinations of materiality and meaning, highlighting each student's emerging design sensibility.