Jack Hands

Ferdinand De Saussure states how language relies on a system of relational values. For any linguistic entity to behold meaning, there is a reliance on all the other entities to also exist. This project employs this idea to the process of type design, exploring how letters rely on their many counterparts in order to function and successfully generate meaning.

"Structuralism hinges on the view that the world does not consist of independently existing objects whose concrete features can be perceived clearly and individually. Structuralism takes as its object of investigation the interrelationship between objects of enquiry as opposed to the objects themselves.”

The typographic system looks to emulate De Saussure's theory through type design. By structuring a typographic system made up of counterparts, that initially have no meaning, but when combined offer the possibility to generate meaning, De Saussure's theory is evidenced successfully. The typographic system allows for somewhat infinite combinations towards the generation of language, however for the most efficient generation there are correct combinations that can be used, which are evidenced in the typographic specimen.

The system looks to propel the individual's enquiry of language to new heights, where they are able to utilise the analog and digital typographic toolkits to structure their own letterforms. The system forms a basis for the de-construction, construction and structure of language. Struct.

As a designer myself, my current process entails research, conceptualisation, rationalisation, methodical decision making and systemisation of visual content.

Whilst designing, I often find myself questioning the decisions I make, having to rationalise why visual material appears a certain way, why this material appears in certain instances and how it should be seen.

Whilst I benefit from rationalising set works and visual outputs, it can also be rather painstaking at times. This project functions as an endeavour to remove oneself from rationality, to explore how the designer can be removed from the creation of their works and to allow decisions to be made through alternate processes. The project encourages the utilisation of instinct, whilst also looking to explore how far the designer can be relinquished from control and rationality.

By following a set list of instructions, one ambiguous and one highly pragmatic, I explored how either set of instructions placed effect on rationality.

The question that was undertook for my thesis resulted in me conducting a discourse analysis. The analytical nature of the thesis is translated in to the final designed artefact.

The format itself, functions as an analytical document, where the aim was to re-appropriate the typical conventions seen with the use of a ring binder. Imagery within the thesis is absent, to maintain analysis in to solely linguistics. The implementation of two graphic symbolisms represent the two personal pronouns analysed. The size of page is 215.9 x 279.4mm, utilising the American paper sizing system, due to the location of the discourse analysed.