Typography | Concept-Driven Type Exploration
Role: Student Project
Tools Used: Illustrator, Photoshop
Course: Design Fundamentals, Bellevue College (Fall 2022)
Overview
For this assignment, we were asked to choose three words from a provided list and design each one using typography alone. The goal was to visually communicate the meaning, feeling, and personality of the word through letterform style, composition, and creative decisions (essentially letting the typography speak for the concept without relying on illustration).
Process
MINIMALIST
For MINIMALIST, I wanted the design to feel clean, intentional, and simple. I created the letters in Illustrator using a pen tool with snap-to-grid enabled to keep the form balanced and consistent. I removed the right side of each letter so the viewer’s mind naturally completes the shapes, reinforcing the idea that less can still communicate enough. To introduce a sense of subtle movement, I added a faint shaded duplicate behind the type to make it feel like it was sliding into place.
HORROR
HORROR was my first attempt, and I initially thought I had to type the word using an existing font. I downloaded a horror-style typeface and then manipulated it to strengthen the concept. I chose a deep red to represent blood and added a dark shadow to imply something lurking behind the text. This gave the word a slightly unsettling feeling, reflecting the themes of fear, tension, and what hides in the dark.
PRIMITIVE
For PRIMITIVE, I started by outlining the type in Illustrator and then brought it into Photoshop to experiment with texture. I sourced an image of cracked stone tablets and created clipping masks for each letter. After adjusting layer styles and adding texture and tonal variation, the final design looked rugged and ancient, resembling carved rock.
Results and Reflection
I’m happy with how each piece turned out, especially because each word clearly reflects a distinct tone and emotion while staying rooted in typography. I don’t usually combine Illustrator and Photoshop in one workflow, so this project pushed me to experiment with software and texture in a new way. The outcome for PRIMITIVE especially made me proud, since the effects helped transform the type into something that feels tactile and story-driven.