Unit 2 Enquiry
- How does the choice of medium impact typographic expression and reader perception?
- What factors does a designer take into account while creating the essence?
as it the page, the layout, the form of type itself, or the perception of the reader?
And how do these have an effect on each other?
- Exploring the interactions/ act of reading through narrative texts set in 3D space.
- Can type in 3D reframe how we understand text and engage with reading?
- Can there be a new form of reading…
that is not only informational but deeply experiential, allowing readers to interpret meaning through their senses and movement as they journey through stories?
New line of enquiry –
Can we use the new technologies to visualise and preserve the old world knowledge / oral histories?
saving fables
new form of reading — what is considered reading ——— incorporating senses and physical interactions
looking at the definitions and alternatives for inclusivity and accessibility
Unit 2 Takeaways –
The idea that typography is no longer confined to flat surfaces but is evolving into an immersive, interactive experience. The transition from traditional 2D design to 3D spaces, AR, and VR challenges designers to rethink form, function, and the role of the reader in shaping meaning.
- Impact of Medium on Typographic Expression & Reader Perception
- Typography evolves based on the medium, transitioning from 2D (print, screen) to 3D (spatial typography, AR, VR).
- The designer’s role shifts from merely arranging text to curating an interactive, immersive experience.
- Typography as a Spatial & Interactive Form
- Moving type into 3D space alters how we engage with text, making it more sculptural and navigable.
- Physical and digital interactions redefine how type is read and perceived, influencing meaning and engagement.
- Wolfgang Weingart’s Influence & 3D Typography
- Weingart’s experimental Swiss typography, breaking rigid typographic conventions, inspires the transition from 2D to 3D.
- Recreating his compositions in 3D highlights how depth, perspective, and movement impact typographic communication.
- Reading as an Active Experience
- Traditional reading is linear and visual, while 3D reading incorporates movement, space, and interactivity.
- Augmented reality (AR) and immersive typography allow text to guide physical movement, turning reading into an embodied experience.
- Design Tensions: Functionality vs. Aesthetics
- The debate between functional readability (Wim Crouwel) and expressive experimentation (Jan van Toorn) remains relevant in 3D design.
- Designers must balance creative exploration with the practical concerns of legibility and usability in immersive environments.
- Technology’s Role: AR, VR & AI in Typography
- AI and real-time interaction open new possibilities for typography, allowing dynamic and evolving textual environments.
- AR/VR typography must consider spatial positioning, legibility at different angles, and how movement affects readability.
- Expanding the Senses in Typography
- Future reading experiences could incorporate sound, touch, and movement, deepening engagement and comprehension.
- The integration of multi-sensory elements could redefine reading beyond a visual-only activity.
- New Forms of Reading & Narrative Structures
- 3D typography and interactive media create opportunities for nonlinear, exploratory reading experiences.
- Spatial storytelling positions text as an environment rather than a static entity, redefining narrative structures.
Unit 2 enquiry – the evolving nature of typography in the digital age.
How emerging technologies can expand the possibilities of text beyond static formats, making typography more interactive, immersive, and multi-sensory.
The research also contributes to broader discussions on the future of design, media, and communication in a technologically evolving world