3-D Typography, Experimental Type, Hand-Crafted, Publication
Shine is a conceptual project exploring the typeface Didot, manifesting itself as a series of hand-crafted lamps made specifically for an
audience of graphic designers and enthusiasts of typography and letterforms. Didot, a typeface popularized in the mid 20th
century by fashion magazines like Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue is the epitome of modernity and elegance combined. Simplified serifs join high
contrast, streamlined forms to create a typeface that finds beauty in minimalism. The base of each Shine lamp reflects this beauty by allowing the letterforms
to define the form with few decorative properties. The gooseneck light completes each letterform, combining whimsy with function.
THE CHALLENGE:
How can I imagine typography in the third dimension as a functional object?
WHAT YOU WILL SEE:
Details of the design processes leading to the end results of this project.
RESULTS:
Five beautiful, hand-crafted lamps and 2D translations of the alphabet derived from Shine’s design language.
A poster and a hardcover book were printed as a way to contribute in communicating the concept in a printed format.
ICFF Exhibitor, May 20–23, 2018
Javits Center
New York, New York
The illustrator files go in exactly as shown above on the Universal Laser Systems Laser Cutter X-660 interface with an 18”x32” cutting area. Different colored lines do different action, and since the color is blue that means it cut completely through the chipboard.
In order to get chipboard to bend on the curved surfaces, I used a technique called “kerfing”. An example of this technique is shown in the image above.
Me presenting 2D translations of Shine and being openly critiqued at TypeThursday. TypeThursday is a monthly gathering of type enthusiasts and professionals, and has chapters established all over the country. Photo was taken at Threadless headquarters.
Posing with Shine at the UIC School of Design Year End Show, Winter 2017.
In the Spring of 2018, my S-Lamp wen to ICFF ( International Contemporary Furniture Fair) as part of the UIC School of Design student display in New York.
Additional Work
