Expressive Typography for Poster Designs

Expressing Visual Solutions Through Typography

In this project, students designed exhibition posters centered on the use of letterforms and expressive typography as the primary visual elements. Each student selected either an artist, a scientist, or an art movement to research and interpret, using only abstract forms and type — without reproducing existing artwork. The challenge was to convey the energy, mood, and conceptual essence of their subject through original typographic and graphic composition. Students were encouraged to generate their own imagery and explore abstract visual elements that complemented the spirit of their chosen artist or movement.

Research questions included:

What medium or technique defined the artist’s or the scientist’s work?
What themes or motifs were consistent across their career?
How can type express these ideas visually and emotionally?

Students examined connections across fine art, science, architecture, and the historical contexts of each scientist or movement. Design solutions were evaluated not only on their final execution, but on the depth of their research and the clarity of their visual investigation. Flexibility was allowed in cases where students pushed the boundaries of “expressive typography” in conceptually compelling ways.

The projects shown here were produced by undergraduate students from: