TYPOGRAPHY EXPERIMENTATION
My typeface was inspired by the micro-genre of South African Jazz. Moving beyond conventional associations, I connected the design to Northern Africa and Christianity. The grids used to construct the typeface were influenced by two renowned churches in South Africa, which I merged to create a structured foundation for the letterforms. This architectural influence added depth and meaning to the design process.
An experimental turning point in my project was converting the typeface into 3D using tools in Illustrator. The 3D effect was inspired by architectural visualizations I observed, particularly from STEYN Studio's modern chapel designs, which presented dynamic, rotating views. This approach allowed me to emphasize the inflated widths and heights of the letterforms, enhancing their visual impact.
The final type specimen was an animation featuring the keyword “HUGO” in the center, rotating to showcase every angle of the typeface. The keyword was inspired by my research into a prominent South African jazz artist, aligning with the theme of the project.